Colposcopy in a private family practice: a one year experience.
OBJECTIVE
To describe results achieved by family physicians performing colposcopy in our private practice.


METHODS
A chart review was performed one year after initiating colposcopy services.


RESULTS
Forty-five patients underwent 47 colposcopic exams, most often for mild dysplasia or persistent atypia on Papanicolaou smears. Of the 21 patients with persisting atypia on smear, 16 (76.2%) showed dysplasia on biopsy. Twenty-five patients (55.6%) underwent cryotherapy, which successfully eradicated the abnormality in 16 of the 20 (80%) for whom follow-up is complete. Ten patients (22.2%) were referred to gynecologists for further evaluation and/or treatment. Six patients (13.3%) had not received the recommended follow-up after either colposcopy or cryotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Family physicians in private practice performing colposcopy and cryotherapy can provide complete care for 75% of patients with abnormal Papanicolaou smears. Patients with squamous atypia on smear may have dysplasia on biopsy more often than previously reported. A recall system and regular chart audits are recommended to improve follow-up.
Spoelhof
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Skyline Family Medical Center, Duluth, MN 55811.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology; D003127:Colposcopy; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006123:Group Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011331:Private Practice; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014626:Vaginal Smears