title: Laser excision of the transformation zone as treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with satisfactory colposcopy.
abstract: A series of 123 patients with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) with satisfactory colposcopy were treated with outpatient laser excision of the transformation zone. Punch biopsy and/or endocervical curettage proved CIN III in 111 patients (90%). Histology of the laser excision specimen showed microinvasive disease in 3 patients. Operative hemorrhage occurred in 2 patients. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 59 months (median, 30 months). Four patients were found to have residual/recurrent CIN during the observation period, resulting in a cure rate of 97%. All patients with recurrence are free of disease after a second laser treatment. Only 1 patient out of 26 with involved resection margins relapsed. Laser excision of the transformation zone is proposed as a suitable replacement for laser vaporization in patients with CIN with satisfactory colposcopy, offering the major advantage of providing a histological specimen without an increase in morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Oslo.
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Vergote
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Makar
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kjørstad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*