Loop-cone cerclage in pregnancy: a 5-year review

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of patients undergoing conization utilizing a technique of loop-cone cerclage when a diagnostic cone biopsy was required in pregnancy. METHODS: All loop conizations between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed; 15 patients were identified who underwent cone- cerclage with 13 medical records completely available for review. Abstracted data included age, parity, pap smears prior to and during pregnancy, and histology obtained during colposcopy. The operative time for the procedure, estimated blood loss, complications, pathology of loop specimen, and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen charts were available for complete review. The mean operating time was 22 min; 11 patients had less than 50 cc blood loss and two patients had a 250 cc blood loss. The median age was 26.5, average parity was 2, and mean gestational age was 24.1 weeks. Six patients had abnormal pap smears prior to pregnancy, one woman had previously undergone colposcopy, and there was no documentation of previous pap smears in six patients. During pregnancy, on pap smear, nine patients had HSIL, three patients had ASCUS/LSIL, and one patient had adenocarcinoma. Thirteen patients underwent colposcopy and biopsy; eight patients had the question of invasive disease, five patients had endocervical glandular involvement with carcinoma in situ, which were the indications for conization. There were no intraoperative or late postoperative complications. All patients delivered at term. CONCLUSIONS: While the need for conization during pregnancy is rare, there are indications when it is necessary. Loop-cone cerclage is a safe method for performing diagnostic and therapeutic conization during pregnancy.     

Management of the diethylstilbestrol-exposed pregnant patient: a prospective study

Over a 5-year period we have managed 63 diethylstilbestrol-exposed pregnant patients with a standardized protocol requiring weekly cervical examination and decreased physical activity of the patient. Twenty-six patients (42%) underwent a prophylactic cerclage for a history of second-trimester loss or a hypoplastic cervix on initial clinical examination (group I). Thirty-six patients (58%) were followed expectantly (group II). Sixteen patients (44%) in group II demonstrated cervical change and required an emergency cerclage. Twenty-one patients were managed expectantly with no cerclage. The gestational age at delivery for group I was 37.7 +/- 2.80 versus 34.5 +/- 6.9 weeks for patients without a cerclage (p = 0.04). There were no perinatal deaths if a cerclage was performed, whereas there were five deaths (24%) in the group without cerclage. The five deaths occurred at a mean gestational age of 24.40 +/- 4.0 weeks and a mean birth weight of 614.00 +/- 441.73 gm. Patients with a hypoplastic cervix or prior reproductive loss had a better outcome with early cerclage than patients with a normal cervix followed expectantly. We presently lack a reliable method to detect the diethylstilbestrol-exposed patient at greatest risk for perinatal loss. Based on our experience we believe that placement of a cerclage early in pregnancy should be a strong consideration.     

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III: long-term outcome after cold-knife conization with clear margins

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with severe cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or squamous cell carcinoma in situ (CIN III) after cold-knife conization with clear margins. METHODS: A total of 4417 women (mean age 36, range 18-72 years) with histologically confirmed CIN III had cold-knife conization with clear margins at our institution between 1970 and 1994. All patients were followed up with colposcopy, cytology, and pelvic examination for a mean of 18 years (range 5-30years). RESULTS: New high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) (CIN II and III) developed in 15 (0.35%) patients (mean age 35, range 25-65 years) after a median of 107 (range 40-201) months. A total of 4402 (99.65%) patients (mean age 36, range 18-72 years) were free of high-grade SILs after a mean follow-up of 18 (range 5-30) years. High-grade glandular intraepithelial lesions developed in two (0.05%) patients 14 and 17 years after conization. Twelve (0.3%) patients had metachronous vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) grade III or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) grade III, and one (0.02%) patient had invasive vaginal carcinoma 10 years after conization. CONCLUSION: Cold-knife conization with clear margins was an adequate method to definitively treat CIN III.     

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III: long-term follow-up after cold-knife conization with involved margins

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with severe cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III or squamous carcinoma in situ after cold-knife conization with involved margins. METHODS: A total of 390 patients (median age 39 years, range 20-69) with positive margins after cold-knife conization for CIN III were followed expectantly for a mean of 19 (range 6-30) years. Follow-up consisted of colposcopy, cytology, histology, and pelvic examination. RESULTS: Overall, 306 (78%) patients remained free of CIN III, and 84 (22%) had persisting or recurrent CIN III (n = 78) or developed invasive carcinoma (n = 6). Fifty-three patients had persisting CIN III (diagnosed within 1 year of conization), 25 developed recurrent CIN III after a median of 3 (range 2-28) years, five developed microinvasive carcinomas (at 3, 6, 7, 12, and 23 years), and one developed a stage IB carcinoma at 8 years. Persisting or recurrent disease was more common in patients in whom both the endocervical and the ectocervical cone margins were involved than in those in whom only the ectocervical or the endocervical margin was positive (52% versus 17% and 21%, respectively, P <.001). CONCLUSION: Expectant management is reasonable for patients with CIN III and positive margins after cold-knife conization. However, these patients require careful follow-up, particularly during the first year.     

Is routine prophylactic cervical cerclage associated with significant prolongation of triplet gestation?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if routine prophylactic cervical cerclage was associated with a significant prolongation of triplet pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of all women carrying triplet pregnancies at a single institution during a four-year period was carried out. Selected maternal characteristics and obstetric outcome measures in women who received prophylactic cerclage (PC) were compared to women who did not receive PC (no cerclage placed and emergency cerclage). Statistical comparison was done using the Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. RESULTS: Fifty-five women had PC and 40 had no PC. There was no significant difference between these two groups in mean maternal age or weight, nulliparity, history of or current sexually transmitted disease, cigarette smoking, history of cervical insufficiency, prior dilation and curettage, prior cervical surgery, prior preterm labor/prolonged preterm rupture of membranes (PTL/PPROM), medical complications in pregnancy, current PTL/PPROM, gestational age at delivery, delivery prior to 28 weeks, delivery prior to 32 weeks, or delivery of an infant weighing less than 1000 or 1500 grams. Thirteen women in the no PC group (32.5%) required emergency cerclage. CONCLUSION: PC was not associated with significant prolongation of triplet pregnancy.     

孕前“极简式”腹腔镜下宫颈环扎术的临床应用

目的:探讨"极简式"腹腔镜下宫颈环扎术(simplified laparoscopic cervical cerclage,SLCC)预防既往经阴道宫颈环扎失败的女性中期流产、早产的效果,并评价手术安全性。方法:分析2010年12月—2015年8月首都医科大学附属复兴医院收治的153例有经阴道宫颈环扎术失败史,实施孕前SLCC的患者临床资料。患者术前孕中期流产平均次数为(2.7±1.2)次,孕周为13~27周,平均孕周(20.0±3.5)周。结果:153例SLCC患者手术顺利,平均手术时间(33.0±1.3)min,术中平均出血量(9.7±8.3)m L,无严重手术并发症。术后共117例患者妊娠,其中8例妊娠2次,总妊娠次数125次;其中包括20次早期流产,2次异位妊娠,1次葡萄胎;截至2015年8月,正在妊娠中19例,已知妊娠结局83例,活产率为96.4%(80/83),平均终止妊娠孕周为(37.2±2.2)周。结论:对于既往经阴道宫颈环扎失败的宫颈机能不全患者,SLCC是一种简单、安全、有效的治疗方法。     

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after conization: a study of 522 consecutive cervical cones

The relationship between involvement of the cervical cone margins by cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and the presence or absence of CIN as determined by subsequent hysterectomy or cytology follow-up was studied in 522 cervical cones. Hysterectomy was performed in 161 patients, 54% of which were done within six weeks after conization. The remaining patients were followed up with cytology. In 136 women, cone margins were involved by CIN. Twelve of these patients were lost to follow-up. Forty of the 73 (54.8%) patients who underwent hysterectomy had CIN in the uterus. One of 51 (1.9%) patients followed up with cytology developed cytologic evidence of CIN. In 60% of the patients with CIN III and involved margins, in whom hysterectomy was delayed for more than six weeks, there was at least one interval of cytology positive for CIN. All these patients had CIN at the time of hysterectomy. In contrast, CIN was not present in patients with negative follow-up cytology. None of the 107 patients with CIN III and free margins had CIN at hysterectomy or during follow-up. However, of the 249 women with CIN I to II and free margins, six had CIN at hysterectomy. In none of the cases was the residual disease worse than CIN. Although it is impossible to predict the presence or absence of residual CIN based on the appearance of the cone margins, it is important to report the status of the margins. Free margins indicate removal of the CIN in a majority of cases, or reassures that invasive cancer is not present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

孕期不同指征经阴道宫颈环扎术的效果评价

目的:回顾性分析孕期3种不同指征经阴道宫颈环扎术的妊娠结局和新生儿预后。方法:收集66例采用Mc Donald方法进行宫颈环扎术患者的临床资料。结果:病史指征性环扎组与超声指征性环扎组,在平均分娩孕周、活产率及新生儿平均出生体质量方面差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。紧急性环扎组的分娩孕周(29.17±6.44)周均低于病史指征性环扎组的(34.06±6.66)周和超声指征性环扎组的(35.42±4.75)周,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。紧急环扎组中手术失败孕妇在宫口开大程度、术后白细胞计数及C反应蛋白(CRP)最高值较手术成功孕妇高。结论:病史指征性环扎术和超声指征性环扎术均可获得良好的相似妊娠结局。术后加强抗炎可提高紧急性环扎手术的成功率。剖宫产再孕者有一定的发生宫颈机能不全的概率,孕期应B超监测宫颈的变化。     

The prevalence and timing of cervical cerclage placement in multiple gestations.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and timing of cervical cerclage placement in multiple gestations. METHODS: Our perinatal database was queried for all multiple gestations delivered at Evanston Hospital from 12/95 through 12/00. This list was then cross-matched with billing and medical records for 'incompetent cervix' and 'cerclage.' The medical records of all deliveries /=14 weeks over a 5-year period. The number of patients that underwent cerclage placement was 29 or 3.6%. The mean gestational age at cerclage placement was 18.6+/-4.5 weeks (range 11-24.6). Twelve were elective or prophylactic while 17 were 'urgent' or 'emergent.' The mean gestational age for the 17 emergent cerclages was 21.4+/-2.2 weeks (range 16.6-24.6). When compared with those patients who did not undergo cerclage placement, there was no difference in maternal demographics including age, parity, or previous full-term delivery. There was a significant difference in the gestational age at delivery for the cerclage vs. no cerclage group; 29.3+/-5.6 vs. 34.4+/-4.6 weeks, respectively, and in the frequency of losses at 相似文献   

宫腔电切镜行宫颈锥形电切术在子宫颈上皮内瘤变治疗中的作用

目的:探讨宫腔电切镜在宫颈锥形电切术治疗宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)的效果及可行性。方法:采用阴道镜辅助下应用宫腔电切镜行宫颈锥形电切术治疗48例CIN患者。患者平均年龄为35.7±6.10岁(25～46岁),术前阴道镜下活检诊断为CIN Ⅰ 6例(12.5％),CIN Ⅱ 18例(37.5％),CIN Ⅲ24例(50％)。结果:宫腔电切镜行宫颈锥形电切术手术时间短,出血少,术中无并发症发生。术后病理检查发现,阴性病人4例(8％),CIN Ⅰ 6例(12.5％),CIN Ⅱ 16例(33％),CIN Ⅲ 20例(41.7％),原位癌1例,行全子宫切除治疗,微小浸润癌1例,行全子宫单附件加盆腔淋巴清扫。2例术后病理报告切除的宫颈、子宫均未找到癌细胞,也无不典型增生存在。其余46例经平均随诊13.5月,未发现CIN残留及复发,治愈率达100％。至今未发现宫颈狭窄及闭锁者。结论:初步结果表明宫腔电切镜行宫颈锥形电切术治疗CIN疗效好,并发症少。     

Cervical surveillance as an alternative to elective cervical cerclage for pregnancy management of suspected cervical incompetence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the outcome of pregnancies among patients with suspected cervical incompetence treated either by elective cervical cerclage or an alternative management program involving cervical surveillance. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed in two groups of patients at risk of cervical incompetence with singleton gestations attending the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, from 1996 to 2000. The first group was managed by their obstetric carers with an elective cerclage, while the second group was managed conservatively as part of a cervical surveillance program offered to patients attending the Department of Perinatal Medicine for pregnancy care. This program consists of weekly visits from 16 weeks' gestation and involves alternating transvaginal ultrasound assessment of cervical morphometry with cervico-vaginal bacteriology and fetal fibronectin swabs. Empiric insertion of a cerclage is undertaken when there is evidence of significant cervical shortening (cervical canal <2.5 cm in length at 相似文献   

The value of frozen sectioning for the evaluation of resection margins in cases of conization

Objectives To determine the role of frozen section examination (FSE) of the cone specimen in the evaluation of the resection margin status and to rule out invasion in patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Methods Thirty patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia underwent conization followed by FSE and planned hysterectomy. The results of the definitive paraffin exam were compared with FSE. Results In evaluation of the margins by FSE, 4 patients (13%) had positive cone margines and 26 (87%) had negative margins. The definitive of paraffin examination of margin status was concordant in all the cases. Intraoperative diagnosis of invasion was made in three cases such that all of them were invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Among the remaining 27 cases, we detected five CIN1, two CIN2 and three CIN3, so the diagnosis of the FSE was concordant with paraffin section in 26 out of 30 cases (87%). Also we detected four additional CIN (one CIN 1, two CIN2 and one CIN3) after paraffin study, whose frozen specimens were reported normal. Conclusion Frozen section examination can provide immediate and precise evaluation of the cone margin status in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It can identify frank invasion and permit adequate treatment in a one-stage procedure and reliably detect clear resection margins.     

Is routine prophylactic cervical cerclage associated with significant prolongation of triplet gestation?

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine if routine prophylactic cervical cerclage was associated with a significant prolongation of triplet pregnancy.

Study design. A retrospective study of all women carrying triplet pregnancies at a single institution during a four-year period was carried out. Selected maternal characteristics and obstetric outcome measures in women who received prophylactic cerclage (PC) were compared to women who did not receive PC (no cerclage placed and emergency cerclage). Statistical comparison was done using the Mann–Whitney test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

Results. Fifty-five women had PC and 40 had no PC. There was no significant difference between these two groups in mean maternal age or weight, nulliparity, history of or current sexually transmitted disease, cigarette smoking, history of cervical insufficiency, prior dilation and curettage, prior cervical surgery, prior preterm labor/prolonged preterm rupture of membranes (PTL/PPROM), medical complications in pregnancy, current PTL/PPROM, gestational age at delivery, delivery prior to 28 weeks, delivery prior to 32 weeks, or delivery of an infant weighing less than 1000 or 1500 grams. Thirteen women in the no PC group (32.5%) required emergency cerclage.

Conclusion. PC was not associated with significant prolongation of triplet pregnancy.     

A prospective study of conization of the cervix in the management of cervical intraepithelial glandular neoplasia (CIGN)--a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of cervical conization as primary management of cervical intraepithelial glandular neoplasia (CIGN). DESIGN: A multicentre prospective cohort study. SETTING: CRC Clinical Trials Unit, Birmingham. SUBJECTS: 84 women registered with the Unit between May 1986 and January 1989. After excluding 33 women, 51 who had been managed in accordance with the described protocol and had the presence of CIGN confirmed by central review of diagnostic histopathological material were included in the study. INTERVENTION/PROTOCOL: Women with CIGN diagnosed on a cervical cone specimen were managed in accordance with a specific protocol: (a) women with negative cone margins were managed conservatively and followed up with regular cervical cytological and colposcopic examinations; (b) women with involved cone margins were managed by hysterectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of CIGN at cone margins, results of cervical cytological examinations following conization, results of histopathological assessment of any surgical specimens taken after initial cone biopsy. RESULTS: Of the 51 women with confirmed CIGN, managed by conization, 14 (27%) were aged 30 or less and 15 (29%) were nulliparous. Thirty five women who had a cone biopsy showing margins free of CIGN have been managed by conization alone. After a median follow-up period of 12 months there is no apparent residual CIGN or invasive disease in this group. Thirteen women have had further surgical procedures (according to protocol) and two have had a hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disorders. Eight further procedures were carried out because the original cone biopsy had margins involved with CIGN, and only one of them was found to have residual CIGN. The other five procedures were carried out solely because of abnormal cytology, only one of them had a diagnosis of CIN 1. A total of 10 women had cytological abnormality following cone biopsy, one had CIGN, one had CIN 1 and a third had CIN 3. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data suggests that when a diagnosis of CIGN is made upon a cone biopsy, further surgery is unnecessary in those women in whom the margins of the cone specimen are free of disease. Cytological and colposcopic follow up, including cytological sampling of the endocervical canal, is recommended for these women.     

Conservative management of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the method of treatment and outcome of women with cervical adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS). METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, all women diagnosed with cervical AIS from 1987 to 1999 were identified. Data were retrospectively collected by record review and correspondence with medical providers. RESULTS: Of 132 women treated with cone biopsy for AIS, 95 (72%) were managed conservatively after cold knife cone or loop electrical excisional procedure alone; 37 (28%) eventually underwent hysterectomy. The median age of diagnosis was 29 years (range, 17-47) in the conservative management group and 40 years (range, 25-72) in the hysterectomy group (P < 0.0001). Seventy-four percent were nulliparous in the conservative group compared with 27% in the hysterectomy group (P < 0.0001). Of the 95 conservatively managed patients, 92 obtained negative margins; three were followed despite positive or unevaluable margins. During a median follow-up of 30 months, 9 women required evaluation for follow-up abnormalities after cone biopsy with negative margins. None had pathologic evidence of recurrent AIS. Twenty-three infants were delivered. Hysterectomy was generally performed for undesired fertility or persistently positive cone margins. One woman required hysterectomy for recurrent AIS. Thirteen (62%) of twenty-one hysterectomy specimens had residual AIS following cone biopsy with positive or unevaluable margins; 1 (6%) of 16 had residual AIS following cone biopsy with negative margins (P < 0.0001). No patient developed invasive adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Younger women with cervical AIS may be effectively treated with cone biopsy alone if negative margins can be achieved.     

Transabdominal cervico-isthmic cerclage in the management of cervical incompetence in high risk women

Objectives

Transabdominal cervico-isthmic cerclage is an alternative to vaginal route for patients with severe cervical incompetence. The purpose of this study is to describe our experience with this technique during pregnancy for high risk women.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective study including 12 transabdominal cerclages performed between 1988 and 2005. All patients had an history of repeated midtrimester fetal losses or preterm delivery, and 82% already had a prior failed transvaginal cerclage. Fourteen pregnancies were reported.

Results

The median gestational age at cerclage placement was 14 weeks (range: 12 to 17). All patients underwent a caesarean section at a mean gestational age of 35 weeks gestation (range: 23 to 38 WG). The fetal survival rate was 93 compared to 17% before the cerclage. There were no significant perioperative or neonatal complications.

Conclusion

Transabdominal cervico-isthmic cerclage remains a reliable technique for the management of cervical incompetence after a prior failed transvaginal cerclage when vaginal access is difficult. Laparoscopic approach is under development.     

Pre- and post-conization high-risk HPV testing predicts residual/recurrent disease in patients treated for CIN 2-3

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) detection and viral load prior to treatment and status of cone margins can predict residual/recurrent disease as well as the ability of current diagnostic tools to identify residual/recurrent disease during follow-up of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) treated by conization using loop electrosurgical procedure (LEEP). METHODS: Two hundred and three women (mean age 38.6 +/- 9.7; range 22-83) with CIN2-3 treated by LEEP conization and confirmed in the surgical specimen, attending follow-up visits were included. Age, HR-HPV detection and viral load determined by HybridCapture 2, and cone margins were evaluated as possible predictors of residual/recurrent disease. Value of single and repeated cytology as well as HR-HPV detection and viral load during follow-up were analyzed as screening tools of recurrence. RESULTS: Residual/recurrent disease was demonstrated by colposcopy guided biopsy in 36 patients (17.7%). High HR-HPV load (>1000 RLU) prior to LEEP and positive cone margins were significantly associated with higher risk of recurrence (31.8% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.005; and 36.4% vs. 11.9%, P < 0.001 respectively). HR-HPV detection at 6-12 m after LEEP showed higher sensitivity than a single or repeated cytology (97.2% vs. 83.3% and 94.4% respectively) although it showed less specificity (81.4% vs. 92.2% and 82.6%). The combination of HR-HPV detection and the first cytology during follow-up detected all patients with residual/recurrent disease (sensitivity 100%, negative predictive value 100%) with an acceptable specificity (76.6%). CONCLUSION: The inclusion of HR-HPV testing with cytology in follow-up of patients treated for CIN2-3 would allow for fewer post-treatment visits and avoid unnecessary cytologies. High HR-HPV load prior to LEEP or positive margins should be considered as risk factors for developing residual/recurrent disease.     

Transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix length and the prediction of preterm delivery

OBJECTIVE: To determine if cervical shortening between 12 and 28 weeks gestation predicts risk of spontaneous preterm birth or cervical funneling requiring cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed retrospectively all the patients who had transvaginal cervical ultrasound assessment during one year. 43 patients who had a second and early third trimester delivery or cerclage placement were chosen for the study. The control group consisted of 78 patients without signs of preterm labor and cervical shortening as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound. The results of the last ultrasound cervical length measurement were correlated with the likelihood of preterm delivery or cervical funneling requiring cerclage. RESULTS: 26 of 121 patients studied delivered preterm and 15 required cervical cerclage because of cervical shortening and funneling. The mean cervical length assessed by ultrasound was 23.22 +/- 3.07 mm in the group with preterm contractions and delivery and 21.99 +/- 7.05 mm in the group with cervical incompetence. In the normal pregnancy group mean cervical length was 35.59 +/- 3.07 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical length of < 3.0 cm and further shortening of the cervix is predictive of preterm delivery or cervical incompetence requiring cerclage.     

Elective cervical cerclage versus serial ultrasound surveillance of cervical length in a population at high risk for preterm delivery

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy outcome for women at risk of preterm delivery undergoing elective cervical cerclage in the first trimester or serial transvaginal assessment of cervical length with cerclage only if indicated (control cases). DESIGN: A matched case control study. SETTING: Prematurity clinic at two London teaching hospitals. POPULATION: Women at high risk for preterm delivery. METHODS: Cases of elective cervical cerclage were matched for maternal age, ethnic group, previous cervical surgery, previous second trimester loss and early preterm delivery to women undergoing serial ultrasound surveillance of cervical length. Pregnancy outcome data was collected. Data was analysed using Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney and Student's t-tests. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestation at delivery, rate of delivery <24, 24-32 and 32-37 weeks gestation. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases of elective cervical cerclage were matched to control cases. Both groups were similar for maternal age, ethnic group, previous cervical surgery, previous second trimester loss and early preterm delivery. Cervical cerclage was performed in 14 (36%) of the control cases due to cervical changes. There was no significant difference in median gestation at delivery (266 days versus 260 days P=0.9), number delivering <24 weeks (15% versus 13% P=0.9), at 24-32 weeks (7.5% versus 15% P=0.6) and at 32-37 weeks (15% versus 13% P=0.9). CONCLUSION: Serial transvaginal ultrasound surveillance of cervical length in women at high risk of preterm delivery appears to reduce cerclage rates without compromising pregnancy outcome. A large multicentered randomised trial is required to confirm these findings.     

Cryosurgical treatment of CIN I-III. A long-term study

One hundred and seventeen patients (age range 18-40 mean 28 years), with ectocervically located intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), histologic grades I-III, were treated with cryosurgery during the period 1974-80. The initial cure rate was 93.2% overall, and 88.1% for CIN III. During long-term follow-up (7-12 years, mean 9.8) two failures occurred, one after 2.5 years, the other after 7 years, giving a long-term cure rate of 91.5% overall, and of 86.5% for CIN III. All patients but one were available to follow-up (i.e. a loss to follow-up rate of 0.8%). There were no significant early or late complications, nor any untoward effects with regard to pregnancy or fertility. Thus cryosurgical treatment of ectocervically located CIN gives good long-term results. Scrupulous selection of patients, consisting of a meticulous colposcopic investigation, histologic diagnosis based upon cervical biopsy and curettage, is important to avoid the hazards of invasive cancer.