CERVICAL POLYP - EVALUATION OF CURRENT TREATMENT

The removal of a cervical polyp is routinely accompanied by a fraction ated dilatation and curettage (D&C) in various institutions. In order to assess the necessity of performing a D&C on all the patients admitt ed with the diagnosis of a cervical polyp, we reviewed the charts of 3 62 patients admitted for a cervical polypectomy and D&C during a 5-yea r period. The procedure was performed on a day clinic basis under gene ral anesthesia. No serious complications were noted. In 218 women (60% ) the discovery of the cervical polyp was incidental and in this group no malignant change was found in the polyp or in the endometrium. Six cases of atypical hyperplasia and 2 cases of adenocarcinoma of the en dometrium were found in the symptomatic group of patients (40%). Remov al of the polyp as an outpatient procedure is recommended of the asymp tomatic patient. Hospitalization and removal of the polyp under genera l anesthesia, accompanied by D&C should be reserved for the symptomati c patients only, or even then, replaced by ambulatory polypectomy and endometrial sampling.