Treating intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix by laser CO2. Evaluation of the past, appraisal for the future.
OBJECTIVE
Carbon dioxide laser (CO2) has been widely used in the past for the treatment of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the uterine cervix. We present our 10-year experience of using this modality while evaluating its current and future use.


METHODS
From 1988 to 1998, 3,078 women were treated for an intraepithelial lesion of the uterine cervix (SIL) by laser CO2 either by vaporization or conization. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis and was well tolerated by the great majority of patients. The mean age of the women treated by vaporization was 27.5 years whereas of those managed by conization, 34.8 years.


RESULTS
From the 3,078 women, 750 (24.4%) underwent laser vaporization and the remaining 2,328 (75.6%), conization of the cervix. Complications were minimal and consisted of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (0.56%), pelvic infections (0.04%) and cervical stenosis (1.1%). Mean follow-up time was 83 months (range 24-142). Relapsing disease (either persistent or recurrent) was detected in 5.6% of the vaporization and 3.9% of the conization group.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of SIL of the uterine cervix by laser CO2 offers excellent success rates with minor complications. The preservation of the anatomical integrity of the cervical tissue offers a better follow-up of these patients and the potential for repeat treatment. Although other treatment modalities are available, we believe that laser CO2 represents an excellent surgical tool for the management of intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix.
Diakomanolis
E
E
1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Athens University, Alexandra Hospital, Greece.
Haidopoulos
D
D
Rodolakis
A
A
Messaris
E
E
Sakellaropoulos
G
G
Calpaktsoglou
C
C
Michalas
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide