Use of loop electrosurgical excision procedure specimens to provide tissue fractions for immunologic analyses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if dividing loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimens to provide tissue for research increases rates of LEEP specimen misdiagnosis and recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.


METHODS
In this chart review, 42 women with biopsy-confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2,3 had up to 20% of their LEEP specimens sectioned and used for immunologic analysis. The remainder of each specimen was assessed routinely. Follow-up cytologic analyses and cervical biopsies also were assessed. This cohort was compared with a control cohort of 80 patients with biopsy confirmed CIN 2,3 whose LEEP specimens were not divided. Statistical significance was defined as a p value of < .05.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to histologic assessment of LEEP specimens or follow-up outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of up to 20% of LEEP specimens for research purposes neither adversely affects histologic evaluation of LEEP specimens nor leads to poorer follow-up outcomes.
Diwan
Aparna
A
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Crowley-Nowick
Peggy A
PA
Crum
Christopher P
CP
Sheets
Ellen E
EE