Large loop excision of the transformation zone for treating cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A 12-year experience

Background: Although the existing evidence suggests that there is no obviou sly superior conservative method for treating cervical intraepithelial neop lasia (CIN), one of the most widely used is the large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Materials and Methods: A total of 897 women wh o were treated with LLETZ at our colposcopy clinic from 1989 to 2000 were r etrospectively studied. Results., Forty women did not have significant cerv ical pathology (4.5% over-treatment rate). Clear margins of excision were o btained in 748 (88.5%) of the 845 cases of CIN or microinvasive cancers. Tr eatment failure rates were 4.7% for clear margins and 26.8% for involved or uncertain. Conclusion: LLETZ is a fast and reliable method of treating CIN and microinvasive carcinoma. Generalized cauterization of the resulting cr ater should be avoided and satellite HPV lesions ablated. Involved margins have a higher treatment failure rate, therefore a larger excision is recomm ended as cervical craters regenerate. Treatment in pregnant women can be de layed until postpartum provided they have adequate surveillance during preg nancy.