Overcoming unsatisfactory colposcopy. Use of osmotic dilators.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of osmotic dilators as an alternative to diagnostic cone biopsy.


METHODS
Women who had an unsatisfactory colposcopic examination were offered repeat examination after use of osmotic dilators as part of an interventional, nonrandomized study. The physician selected the type, size and duration of use of the dilator.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine of 32 women (91%) underwent a satisfactory repeat examination. Diagnostic cone biopsy was avoided in all women. Twenty-one women did not require further treatment, and four women had the lesion removed by the colposcopically directed biopsy. Six women underwent electrosurgery, and one woman underwent cryotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of osmotic dilators can decrease the need for diagnostic cone biopsy.
Borgatta
L
L
Planned Parenthood of Westchester and Rockland, Inc., Hawthorne, USA.
Lopatinsky
I
I
Shaw
F M
FM
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003127:Colposcopy; D019092:Conization; D003452:Cryosurgery; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004598:Electrosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy