Evaluation of a single-step diagnosis and treatment of premalignant cervical lesion by LEEP.
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.
Emam
Mohamed
M
Mansura University Hospital, Mansura, Egypt.
Elnashar
Aboubakr
A
Shalan
Hesham
H
Barakat
Rafik
R
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*