title: Evaluation of a single-step diagnosis and treatment of premalignant cervical lesion by LEEP.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore whether a single-step diagnosis and treatment of premalignant cervical lesions by the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is appropriate in women at high risk in low-resource countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty women suspected of having a high-grade lesion on both visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and colposcopic examination were randomly allotted to one of 2 groups. In group 1, LEEP was performed immediately and a tissue specimen was sent for histopathologic evaluation; in group 2, a punch biopsy was performed, followed by a histopathologic evaluation; then, LEEP was performed if needed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the patients who underwent LEEP, 4 (16%) in group 1 and 3 (15.8%) in group 2 were overtreated. No patients dropped out of the study in group 1 but 5 (20.8%) did in group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The single-step diagnosis and LEEP treatment of premalignant cervical lesions is appropriate in low-resource countries.
authors.affiliation: Mansura University Hospital, Mansura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emam
authors.forename: Aboubakr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elnashar
authors.forename: Hesham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shalan
authors.forename: Rafik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barakat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003127:Colposcopy; D003906:Developing Countries; D004598:Electrosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*