Repeat LEEP conization in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and positive ectocervical margins.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of repeat loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) conization in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 and positive ectocervical margins.


METHODS
A retrospective study of 56 women who underwent repeat LEEP conization for CIN 3 and positive ectocervical margins.


RESULTS
Final diagnosis after repeat LEEP conization revealed 6 women (10.7%) with microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (Stage IA1); 1 (1.8%) with CIN 1; 1 (1.8%) with CIN 2; 21 (37.5%) with CIN 3; and 27 (48.2%) with chronic cervicitis. Ectocervical or endocervical margins were negative after repeat LEEP conization in the majority of women, except for 2 patients (3.6%) with CIN 3 and positive ectocervical margins. Recurrence rate for the median follow-up time of 2 years was 6.1% (3 patients).


CONCLUSIONS
Repeat LEEP conization can reveal undiagnosed microinvasive cervical carcinoma in women with positive ectocervical margins.
Ayhan
Ali
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology, Baskent University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Boynukalin
F Kubra
FK
Guven
Suleyman
S
Dogan
N Utku
NU
Esinler
Ibrahim
I
Usubutun
Alp
A
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019092:Conization / Q000379:methods*; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*