Situación de la conización del cuello uterino en el País Vasco

Objective

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the conization technique used in Basque Country hospitals and to determinate the most appropriate place to perform this procedure (outpatient clinic or operating room) by evaluating pain, early and late complications and histological results.

Materials and methods

We selected 232 patients with a cytologic and colposcopic diagnosis of cervical dysplasia requiring surgical cervical conization between September 2006 and July 2007 in eight public hospitals of the Basque Country.

Results

A total of 94.8% of conizations were performed with long loop excision of transformation zone (LLETZ) and, exceptionally, with cold knife conization. Local anesthesia was used in tertiary hospitals and regional anesthesia in county hospitals. Pain tolerance in outpatient conization with LLETZ under local anesthesia was excellent. In Hospital Donostia, pain was scored on a visual analogue scale and low scores were achieved, in accordance with the high degree of satisfaction obtained with the procedure. Conization margins depended on the grade of dysplasia rather than on the technique. There were few early complications and even fewer late complications.

Conclusion

The LLETZ method performed under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic is very well tolerated by patients and has few complications. Consequently, this option is a valid alternative to conization under general or regional anesthesia. The LLETZ technique provides multiple advantages for the patient and health service due to its lower cost, without medical disadvantages, and satisfactory tolerance.     

Outpatient cervical conization with the CO2 laser

Ninety-six patients with grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were treated with CO2 laser conization, and 45 were treated with cold-knife conization. Local anesthesia was used in 83% of the patients in the laser group; the rest received general anesthesia. In the laser group seven patients developed peri- and postoperative hemorrhages. Hemorrhages occurred among four of those treated with cold-knife conization. Laser conization with local anesthesia was well tolerated and can be recommended as an outpatient procedure for patients with endocervical grade 3 CIN or lesions suggestive of microinvasive cancer.     

Acceptance of outpatient flexible hysteroscopy by premenopausal and postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To compare tolerance for and feasibility of outpatient flexible hysteroscopy in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: A comparative, prospective study including 475 premenopausal and 216 postmenopausal women who underwent outpatient hysteroscopy without analgesia. RESULTS: Mean pain score was higher in postmenopausal patients (1.55 +/- 0.56 vs. 1.27 +/- 0.38 [P < .0001]). Outpatient flexible hysteroscopy was feasible without analgesia in 471/475 premenopausal (99.2%) and 210/216 postmenopausal women (97.2%) (P = .07). CONCLUSION: Outpatient flexible hysteroscopy was feasible and well tolerated; local anesthesia should be reserved for postmenopausal women.     

Conization of the cervix with the CO2 laser as an office procedure

Conization of the cervix is usually done under general anesthesia in an operating room. The use of the CO2 laser has been shown to reduce the high morbidity associated with cervical conization, but, like cold-knife conization, laser excisional procedures are still usually done in an operating room under general anesthesia. Forty-one patients underwent conization of the cervix with the CO2 laser in an office setting. The procedure was well tolerated, and intraoperative bleeding was not a problem. Two cases of delayed postoperative bleeding were treated on an outpatient basis. The ability to perform cervical conization in an office setting offers significant advantages.     

Outpatient loop diathermy conization as an alternative to inpatient knife conization of the cervix.

A knife cone biopsy of the cervix is usually performed as an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia and is associated with significant morbidity. Loop diathermy conization was performed under local anesthesia on colposcopy outpatients as an alternative to knife conization. In 33 consecutive patients studied the procedure was well tolerated, there were no operative complications, and a satisfactory specimen for histologic examination was obtained in every case. One case of unsuspected invasive cancer and two of suspected microinvasive cancer were diagnosed. The diagnosis of cervical precancer was made in 24 (73%) of the cases. The introduction of outpatient loop diathermy conization of the cervix instead of knife conization would decrease hospitalization costs, avoid the need for general anesthesia and potentially reduce short-term patient morbidity.     

A comparison between laser excisional conization and laser vaporization for the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

One hundred twenty patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia who were treated by laser excisional conization were compared with a group of 100 women who had similar diagnoses and were treated by laser vaporization. Every operation in the series was performed in the outpatient surgical unit or in the office. In two thirds of the cases the procedures were carried out with the patients under local anesthesia. The parameters studied included time required to perform the procedure, immediate and delayed bleeding, postlaser stenosis, healing time, patient discomfort, persistence or recurrence of disease, and risk of invasion. The results of this study revealed few disadvantages to performing a laser excisional procedure. Immediate and delayed complications were less frequent with laser excisional conization. The time required to perform an excisional conization was on the average only 4 minutes longer than that for a vaporization. Most significantly, the laser excisional cone provides a large and excellent specimen for the pathologist to review.     

Therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and fertility

BACKGROUND: We reviewed the case records of patients of childbearing age treated with various types of surgical techniques for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to determine the impact of surgical treatment on their fertility. METHODS: Between 1983 and 1997 a total of 486 women with CIN received surgical treatment at out unit. Laser vaporization was used in 196 cases, cold-knife conization in 163 and REP in 127. The outcome of the various treatments was then compared. RESULTS: Independent of the surgical technique used, the percentage of pregnancies achieved after surgery was high: 93.33 and 96.66% of patients treated with laser vaporization and REP, respectively, and 87.69% of those who received cold-knife conization. The differences did not reach statistical significance nor were significant differences observed in the number of abortions or in the method of birth delivery (spontaneous, Cesarean section). However, a higher percentage of premature births was noted among women who received cold-knife conization (31.57%), which was statistically significant in the comparison among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results from our study indicated which techniques for the treatment of CIN may be preferable. Compared with the other two techniques, cold-knife conization bears higher costs (hospitalization, general anesthesia) and has been superceded by laser vaporization and REP as evaluated in this series. When cold-knife conization must be used, cerclage of the cervix uteri should be performed in the event of future pregnancy. In contrast, laser vaporization and REP can be performed in an outpatient setting with local anesthesia. These techniques, because they are conservative, afford the advantages of complete lesion removal and maintenance of reproductive capability. Another important consideration is that REP is less costly and allows histological examination of the surgical specimen.     

Treating intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix by laser CO2. Evaluation of the past,appraisal for the future

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Carbon dioxide laser (CO2) has been widely used in the past for the treatment of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the uterine cervix. We present our 10-year experience of using this modality while evaluating its current and future use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1988 to 1998, 3,078 women were treated for an intraepithelial lesion of the uterine cervix (SIL) by laser CO2 either by vaporization or conization. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis and was well tolerated by the great majority of patients. The mean age of the women treated by vaporization was 27.5 years whereas of those managed by conization, 34.8 years. RESULTS: From the 3,078 women, 750 (24.4%) underwent laser vaporization and the remaining 2,328 (75.6%), conization of the cervix. Complications were minimal and consisted of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (0.56%), pelvic infections (0.04%) and cervical stenosis (1.1%). Mean follow-up time was 83 months (range 24-142). Relapsing disease (either persistent or recurrent) was detected in 5.6% of the vaporization and 3.9% of the conization group. CONCLUSIONS: The management of SIL of the uterine cervix by laser CO2 offers excellent success rates with minor complications. The preservation of the anatomical integrity of the cervical tissue offers a better follow-up of these patients and the potential for repeat treatment. Although other treatment modalities are available, we believe that laser CO2 represents an excellent surgical tool for the management of intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix.     

A randomized study of local or general anesthesia for laser conization of the cervix

Laser Conization of the cervix was performed in both inpatient and outpatient settings with either local or general anesthesia. All of the patients included had abnormal cervical smears, abnormal colposcopic findings and were allocated to one of two groups, A and B. Patients in group A had general anesthesia while patients in group B had only local anesthesia. A standard operative technique, was used and all patients had estimation of blood loss, recording of operative time, surgical suite time, anesthesia induction time, and assessment of postoperative pain and morbidity. Statistical analysis was performed using the student t-test. We concluded that laser conization of the cervix can be performed more cheaply with local anesthesia than with general anesthesia and with little discomfort, less nausea, and vomitting. Accepted: 12 September 1997     

Feasibility and outcome of laser CO2 conization performed within the 18th week of gestation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential therapeutic benefit of laser CO(2) conization of the cervix for in situ and minimally invasive carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy. Twenty-six pregnant patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma in situ/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III but colposcopically suspicious for invasion underwent laser CO(2) conization during the 18th week of gestation in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. No major intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred, and cervical cerclage was not required in any case. Two cases (7.7%) of occult FIGO stage IA1 minimally invasive cervical cancers with free surgical margins were diagnosed. Both patients delivered vaginally at term and were free of disease at postpartum follow-up. Median length of gestation was 39.1 weeks with a median birth weight of 3450 g. All 1-min Apgar scores were 8 or greater. Twenty patients (76.9%) delivered vaginally, while six patients underwent cesarean section for indications not related to the prior conization. After a mean postpartum follow-up of 18 months (range 3-42), 92.3% of patients continued to have both cytologic and colposcopic evaluations negative for persistent or recurrent disease. Two cases of persistent intraepithelial disease were successfully managed by reconization. In summary, our data suggest that laser CO(2) conization performed within the 18th week of gestation is safe for both the patient and the fetus, provides reliable histologic diagnosis, and can be curative. Further studies are required to confirm the favorable risk-benefit ratio of laser CO(2) conization in the management of non-reassuring cervical lesions observed in the first half of pregnancy.     

Laser CO(2) conization: a safe mode of treating conservatively microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of conservative treatment by laser CO(2) conization, for the management of microinvasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (MIC). Study design: From 1990 to 1999, 90 women with the diagnosis of MIC were treated in the Gynecological Oncology Unit of "Alexandra" Hospital. Final diagnosis of MIC was based on cervical conization as well as simple and radical hysterectomy specimens. The cytological and colposcopical diagnoses prior to conization were reviewed. The cone specimen parameters examined by the pathologists were depth and width of invasion, lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) and surgical margins status. The modality used for all conizations, either primary or secondary, was the laser CO(2) under local anaesthesia. RESULTS: Diagnosis of MIC was made on cone biopsy in 73 women (81%), in simple hysterectomy in 10 (11%) and in radical hysterectomy specimens in 7 (8%). From the patients that underwent conization, two (2.5%) were detected with LVSI. Five patients (7%) were found to have involved margins and from those, the majority was managed by a second conization. Mean follow-up time was 54 months (range: 30-110 months). Four patients (6.6%) with recurrence were observed during follow-up, all of them with LSIL. No cases of invasive disease or HSIL were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Laser CO(2) conization is a safe and effective mode of treatment for women suffering from MIC and wish to retain their fertility. However, this type of management should be advocated only in cases fulfilling the strict criteria for MIC as these have been defined by FIGO.     

Clinical evaluation of the treatment of early cervical neoplasia by carbon dioxide laser conization

One hundred twenty patients with cervical neoplasia were treated by conization, 78 with a carbon dioxide laser and 42 with a cold knife. Bleeding during the conization was 82.5 +/- 91.4 ml with the laser and 117.3 +/- 82.6 ml with the cold knife. The time required for the operation was 55.0 +/- 16.7 min and 37.7 +/- 10.2 min, respectively. With the aid of a local injection of epinephrine, peroperative bleeding was much less pronounced in the laser group (25.4 +/- 39.5 ml) and the time required for the operation was further shortened to 36.4 +/- 15.0 min. Six patients treated with the cold knife (14.3%) suffered postoperative hemorrhage requiring hemostasis, but only one in the laser series (1.3%). Forty-nine patients of 78 treated with the laser and 15 of 42 treated with the cold knife were subjected to conservative therapy. All of them were followed up by cytology, colposcopy and histology, and there was no failure or recurrence at either 8 weeks and 1 year after the operation. Unsatisfactory colposcopic findings developed in 9 patients (18.4%) in the laser group compared with 11 patients (73.3%) in the cold knife group. Specimens obtained after laser conization were satisfactory for use in histopathological evaluation. Conization with a carbon dioxide laser appears to be an acceptable procedure as a diagnostic method and conservative therapy for cervical neoplasia.     

A comparison between CO2 laser conization and cold knife conization in clinical diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Intraoperative and postoperative complications related to CO2 laser conization and cold knife conization were compared. From 1980 to 1984 66 patients were hospitalized for cold knife conization, the mean operative time was 28.1 minutes, all patients had epidural anesthesia, and the mean time of admission was 6.8 days. Three percent of cases had infections, the mean intraoperative hemorrhage was 75 ml, and the rate of remaining foci of neoplasia was 18.2%. Meanwhile there were 116 patients hospitalized for CO2 laser conization from 1985 to 1987. The mean operative time was 15.6 minutes, 15.5% of cases had local anesthesia, the mean time of admission was 0.6 days. Zero percent of cases had infections, 0% of cases had postoperative cervical stenosis, the mean intraoperative hemorrhage was 75 ml, and 29.5% of cases had remaining foci of neoplasia. There was no significant difference in hemorrhage amounts at hysterectomy following conization either method. Thus, in our experience, CO2 laser conization is more effective for clinical diagnosis and treating of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.     

A randomized trial comparing local intracervical and combined local and paracervical anesthesia in outpatient hysteroscopy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the amount of pain during and after hysteroscopy using local intracervical and combined local and paracervical anesthesia. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty-four women who underwent outpatient hysteroscopy for evaluation of the uterine cavity at McGill University Health Center. INTERVENTIONS: Randomization to local intracervical or combined local and paracervical anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Amount of pain experienced during the procedure and at 10, 30, and 60 minutes after the procedure was measured using a visual analog scale ranging from zero to 10 (zero = no pain; 10 = excruciating pain). The mean age of the patients in the local anesthesia group was 36.1 +/- 0.7 years and in the combined local and paracervical anesthesia group was 35.2 +/- 0.7 years. Patients experienced significantly more pain during than after the procedure. The mean pain scores in the local anesthesia group were significantly higher than in the combined anesthesia group during the procedure (3.2 +/- 0.3 vs 2.1 +/- 0.2; p <.01; 95% CI 0-2), 10 minutes after the procedure (1.9 +/- 0.2 vs 1.5 +/- 0.3; p = .03; 95% CI 0-1), and 30 minutes after the procedure (1.7 +/- 0.2 vs 1.0 +/- 0.2; p = .02; 95% CI 0-1). However, there was no significant difference in pain scores at 60 minutes after the procedure between the local anesthesia and combined anesthesia groups (0.9 +/- 0.2 and 0.7 +/- 0.1, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient hysteroscopy with local or combined local and paracervical anesthesia was well tolerated by patients. However, combined anesthesia was associated with less pain during and at 10 and 30 minutes after the procedure. Most patients considered the pain as mild.     

Squamous intraepithelial lesion-microinvasive carcinoma of the cervix during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to assess proper management of squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and microinvasive carcinoma during and after pregnancy, to assess risks of punch biopsy and conization in pregnancy and to assess regression, persistence and risk of progression with low-grade (L) and high-grade (H) SIL. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of 167 pregnant women from our colposcopic unit who were referred to us for abnormal cytological findings between 1997 and 2002. The diagnosis of precancerosis was verified in all of the women by punch biopsy, suspect microinvasive carcinoma needle or LETZ conization up to the 20th week of pregnancy. All women were followed-up during the pregnancy and 24 months after their deliveries. RESULTS: In 23 women with suspect early invasion we performed conization during the pregnancy (weeks 13-23). There were six cases (26.1%) of microinvasive carcinoma and 17 cases (73.9%) of HSIL. One pregnancy aborted two days after the conization. No other obstetrical complications were recorded and there were no premature deliveries. Sixty-two women with HSIL were only followed-up during their pregnancy. We observed complete regression of HSIL during the study in 14 patients (22.6%), regression to LSIL in 17 patients (27.4%), persistence in 25 patients (40.3%) and progression to microcarcinoma in six cases (9.7%). Eighty-two patients were followed up for LSIL. Complete regression of LSIL was observed during the study in 40 cases (48.8%), persistence in 24 cases (29.2%) and progression to HSIL in 18 cases (22.0%). CONCLUSION: For LSIL and HSIL during pregnancy the above follow-up is a sufficient and safe protocol. Suspect microinvasive carcinoma should be treated by conization, which is a safe procedure until the 24th week of pregnancy.     

Essure: a new device for hysteroscopic tubal sterilization in an outpatient setting

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of hysteroscopic placement of an intratubal device for permanent birth control in 85 women in an outpatient setting. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Private university hospital. PATIENT(S): Eighty-five premenopausal women who asked for tubal sterilization by hysteroscopy between July 2002 and July 2003. INTERVENTION(S): Hysteroscopic placement of titanium-dacron intratubal devices in an outpatient setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Procedure feasibility without anesthesia, success rate of device implantation, patient satisfaction, and confirmation of correct placement. RESULT(S): Successful placement was achieved in 81 patients (95%). Mean time elapsed between the start of hysteroscopy, placement of devices, and removal of optics was 9 minutes (range, 1-35 minutes). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were detected. Of 81 patients, 75 (93%) had abdominal x-ray performed at the third month; bilateral correct placement was confirmed in all of them. CONCLUSION(S): Essure is a safe, effective, and minimally aggressive procedure with satisfactory patient acceptance that does not require anesthesia or hospitalization. It seems to be a good alternative to laparoscopic tubal sterilization.     

Value of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing after conization in the prediction of residual disease in the subsequent hysterectomy specimen

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing after conization in predicting residual disease in the subsequent hysterectomy specimen. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted on 75 patients with grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia who had cone margins or endocervical curettage specimens showing disease and who elected to undergo hysterectomy after conization. All patients underwent high-risk human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing by the Hybrid Capture II (Digene Corporation, Gaithersburg, MD) system before conization and at the time of hysterectomy (within 2-7 weeks after conization). The presence of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid in cells obtained by endocervical brush before hysterectomy was correlated with residual disease in the hysterectomy specimens. RESULTS: Of the 92 patients enrolled, 75 were eligible. Of these 75 patients, 52 (69.3%) had persistent human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid after conization, and 27 (36.0%) of the 75 patients had residual cervical neoplasia in the hysterectomy specimens. Those with negative results for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid after conization were all (23/23) without residual disease in the uterus (100% negative predictive value). All those who had residual disease (27/27) had positive results for human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid at the time of hysterectomy (100% sensitivity). Postconization human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid status (odds ratio, 4.000; 95% confidence interval, 1.531-10.449; P =.005) and grade of dysplasia after endocervical curettage (classified as grade 2 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or less severe disease vs grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: odds ratio, 6.612; 95% confidence interval, 2.837-15.409; P =.0002) were significantly associated with residual tumor in the uterus. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study confirms an excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing after conization in predicting residual cervical neoplasia. A strategy of managing patients with grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, based on postconization human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid findings and endocervical curettage results, is proposed.     

The effects of cardiovascular dynamics monitoring in the outpatient management of pregnancy hypertension

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the effects of the adjunctive use of cardiovascular dynamics monitoring in the ambulatory management of 199 pregnant patients with severe hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, observational study was performed. Determinants of mean arterial pressure were computed by using the Hon monitor. Indicators of arterial compliance and effective blood volume were developed. All patients were monitored in the outpatient clinic; additionally, 19 patients self-tested at home. No rigid medication protocol was followed, but furosemide was used in most cases when cardiovascular dynamics monitoring patterns were consistent with volume loading. Otherwise, vasodilators were prescribed. The t test for independent samples was used to compare the home-monitored subgroup with the outpatient-only group. RESULTS: Pregnancy was prolonged by 74 +/- 63.9 days (mean +/- SD). Mean gestation was 37.6 +/- 2.9 weeks, and mean birth weight was 2882.4 +/- 837 g. The primary cesarean delivery rate was 23.7%, but only 15 (7.5%) cesarean deliveries were performed because of failed therapy. The 19 home-monitored patients gained 108 +/- 75 days (83.1 +/- 42.2 days beyond 20 weeks). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive cardiovascular dynamics monitoring may have a role in the evaluation and management of hypertension during pregnancy.     

Loop excision for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

We report the results of a prospective trial using a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) on 97 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. In the LEEP group the mean cutting time and whole procedure time were 6.2 +/- 1.9 seconds and 12.7 +/- 3.5 minutes, respectively. The average blood loss was 3.6 +/- 1.9 mL. In the control group (39 cases) using laser conization, the mean cutting time and whole procedure time were 11.7 +/- 3.5 minutes and 44.9 +/- 8.9 minutes, respectively. The average blood loss in the control group was 11.2 +/- 3.1 mL. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. During LEEP surgery, four cases had accidental vaginal excision. There were three cases of late cervical bleeding after surgery; the surface of the cervix was smooth, and no adhesion or crypt formation was noted after re-epithelialization. Eight patients became pregnant after the loop excision and no cervical incompetence was noted during antenatal care. After a one-year follow-up period in the colposcopy clinic, there was no recurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in either group. We advise that among the modalities of treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, LEEP appears to offer patients several benefits such as less bleeding, precise specimens, local anesthesia, less cost and less discomfort. It is particularly suitable for treating younger women who have not yet completed their families.