OVERCOMING UNSATISFACTORY COLPOSCOPY - USE OF OSMOTIC DILATORS

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of osmotic dilators as an altern ative to diagnostic cone biopsy. STUDY DESIGN: Women who had an unsati sfactory colposcopic examination were offered repeat examination after use of osmotic dilators as part of an interventional, nonrandomized s tudy. The physician selected the type, size and duration of use of the dilator. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 32 women (91%) underwent a satisfact ory repeat examination. Diagnostic cone biopsy was avoided in all wome n. Twenty-one women did not require further treatment, and four women had the lesion removed by the colposcopically directed biopsy. Six wom en underwent electrosurgery, and one woman underwent cryotherapy. CONC LUSION: The use of osmotic dilators can decrease the need for diagnost ic cone biopsy.