OUTPATIENT LOOP ELECTROSURGICAL EXCISION PROCEDURE FOR CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA - CAN IT REPLACE COLD KNIFE CONIZATION

OBJECTIVE: To determine if loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LE EP) can replace cold knife conization. STUDY DESIGN: In a population a t high risk for invasive carcinoma, 163 cases of LEEP conization were per performed with the same indications as cold knife for cervical con ization. RESULTS: Seven ty-five percent of LEEP surgical specimens wer e positive for dysplasia. Six cases showed invasive squamous cell carc inoma. No complications were seen. CONCLUSION: LEEP conization is a qu ick, simple and economical procedure that can safely replace most case s of cold knife conization.