Pregnancy outcome after laser vaporization of the cervix

BACKGROUND: Treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with cold knife or CO2-laser conization is associated with obstetrical problems in subsequent pregnancies. Little is published about pregnancy outcome after laser vaporization of the uterine cervix. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight in pregnancies following this kind of treatment. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-six women who during the 11 year period 1982 to 1992 underwent laser vaporization of the uterine cervix and after treatment gave birth were included in this study. For each case two controls matched for parity, age (-/+ 3 years) and year of delivery were identified. The material was analyzed as a matched cohort study. RESULTS: No relationship was found between laser vaporization and preterm delivery or low birth weight. Medial gestational length was in both groups 40 weeks (range 3142 weeks among cases and 2842 weeks among controls). Mean birth weight was 3428 g (range 1370 to 6130 g) among cases and 3407 (range 672 to 5470 g) among controls. CONCLUSION: Laser vaporization of the uterine cervix does not influence the outcome of subsequent pregnancy.