title: Shimodaira-Taniguchi conization method: its utility and reliability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Introduced in 1992, the Shimodaira-Taniguchi conization procedure addresses the disadvantages of the loop electrosurgical excision procedure by relying on a high frequency current of 150 W and a triangular probe with a 0.25-mm linear excision electrode to extract a single informative specimen. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate Shimodaira-Taniguchi conization as a conservative therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and microinvasive cancer of the cervix.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were 455 patients who underwent Shimodaira-Taniguchi conization for CIN, carcinoma in situ, adenocarcinoma in situ, or stage IA microinvasive cervical carcinoma at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2008. Patient follow-up ranged from 13 to 60 months. Clinical data were obtained and evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean operation time was 11 minutes, and average blood loss was 9.9 mL. Margins were positive in 178 (39.1%) cases. Postsurgical complications occurred in 61 patients, with secondary hemorrhage occurring in 46 patients. None required transfusion. None were lost to follow-up, and there was no disease-related death. Disease recurred in 6 (1.3%) patients: 4 with a positive excision margin and 2 with a negative margin. Cervical stenosis occurred in 15 (3.3%) patients, 3 of whom suffered cervical obstruction, including 1 with dysmenorrhea who underwent hysterectomy. In most cases (n = 357, 78%), a single adequate specimen was extracted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a conservative treatment for CIN and microinvasive cervical cancer, Shimodaira-Taniguchi conization is useful. It is easy, provides adequate histologic specimens (often singular), and results in few postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Cancer Institute Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. maki.matsumura@jfcr.or.jp
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takeshima
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takizawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019092:Conization / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012086:Reoperation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*