title: Needle excision of the transformation zone: A new method for treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to evaluate a new needle electrode for conization of the cervix that was developed in my department.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study of 58 unselected women with histologically verified cervical intraepithelial neoplasia who underwent conization with the diathermy needle. The operations were performed with local anesthesia as outpatient procedures. Follow-up time was 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cones were removed in one piece and were of high histologic quality. Mean (+/-SD) operating time, including anesthesia, was 7.9 +/- 2.7 minutes. Mean depth of thermal damage was 0.29 +/- 0.21 mm, and mean blood loss was 12.5 +/- 9.4 mL. No late complications have been noted, and 94.8% of patients have required no further treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Needle excision of the transformation zone is a simple and effective outpatient procedure that yields a one-piece cone specimen of high quality and carries a success rate of 94.8%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hedmark Central Hospital, Hamar, Norway.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sadek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019092:Conization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003972:Diathermy / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*