About Cervical Conization and LEEP Procedures
Cervical conization is a surgical procedure by which a conical section of the cervix is removed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. Cervical conization is a minimally invasive surgical procedure and is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
Cervical Conization does not remove the entire cervix in most cases, and is typically a suitable treatment for women who have not yet had children and had their atypical cells detected early for treatment.
When Is A Cervical Conization Necessary?
Cervical Conization is typically necessary and performed as an initial treatment following the diagnosis of premalignant or malignant cell growth on a woman’s cervix that could progress into cancer if left untreated.
Cervical Conization is recommended in any of the following circumstances:
- High-grade premalignant lesions
- Persistent low-grade premalignant lesion for at least two years
- Macroscopic suspicion of cervical cancer in early stages (IA1-IA2)
- Signs of precancerous pathology in the cervix, typically caused by HPV infection.
Types of Cervical Conization Methods
There are different techniques to carry out the surgical intervention according to the characteristics of the cervical lesions, their location, and the means available to carry them out.
Loop Electro-Surgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)
A Loop Electro-Surgical Excision Procedure (or LEEP procedure) is used for the extraction of very superficial and/or small lesions. This method can be used to perform larger biopsies than a conventional biopsy technique, or as a treatment to extract the entirety of cervical lesions.
Cold-Knife Cervical Conization
Cold-Knife Conization is a simple procedure where a section of the cervix is carefully removed using a scalpel. This method of removing diseased tissue from the cervix is usually used when the impacted area is relatively large and is used in very selected cases as it carries a higher risk of genital bleeding after the procedure.
Laser conization
Laser Conization is a new and innovative technique that uses a carbon dioxide laser beam to cut and coagulate cervical tissue. This technique allows for deeper, more precise conization to remove tissue only as necessary with minimal impact on healthy cervical tissue.
What Is The Process For A Cervical Conization Procedure?
Cervical Conization procedures, no matter the method, are generally an outpatient procedure meaning that patients can return home the same day as their procedure.
How Long Does It Take To Recover After A Conization Procedure?
After a cervical conization procedure we generally advise patients to refrain from sexual intercourse for one month, and not to use any vaginal suppositories, douches, or tampons as inserting anything into the vagina while the cervix is healing may cause infections. It is also recommended to avoid immersing yourself in water such as by taking a bath or swimming for up to a month, unless otherwise specified by your gynecologist.
What Can I Expect After A Cervical Conization Procedure?
There are a number of common, expected conditions that occur while recovering from a cervical conization.
Postoperative Bleeding
It is normal to have postoperative bleeding that does not last more than 10-15 days and should gradually decrease as you heal. If you do experience heavy bleeding (i.e. soaking through one menstrual pad per hour or more) you should seek immediate emergency care.
Smelly Vaginal Discharge & Menstruation-Like Pain
As the cervix heals, it is normal to have foul-smelling discharge due to scarring of the cervix. Immediately after the procedure, menstrual-type pain may be experienced that usually subsides with the passing of hours and with the taking of common analgesics.
Specialist in Cervical Conization in Spain.
Recommendations to Reduce Your Risk of Reoccurrence of Cervical Lesions
To reduce your risk of recurring cervical lesions after your treatment , Doctor Lucas Minig, a specialist Gynecologist Oncologist recommends:
- Using condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse
- Contraceptive pills
- Getting the HPV vaccine
- Quit smoking if you are a smoker, as tobacco consumption interferes with the defenses against HPV
Consult with your specialist doctor or make an appointment online with us to assist you with any questions you may have related to Cervical Conization.
When Should I Have A Follow-Up After A Cervical Conization?
Usually, your first clinical follow-up is performed 10-15 days after the procedure. Then, if your cervix has healed without incident, additional follow-ups are recommended every 3-6 months during the first years to rule out a recurrence of disease in the cervix.
These controls are carried out by performing colposcopies, cervical cytology, and/or HPV virus typing.
Pregnancy Following Cervical Conization
How Long Should I Wait To Get Pregnant After A Cervical Conization?
After conization, it is preferable to wait for the result of the pathological analysis of the removed tissue, and wait for your first post-conization follow-up to rule out the need for a second procedure. If the results come back clear, you can start trying to get pregnant after 3 months following your cervical conization.
Can I Still Have A Vaginal Delivery If I’ve Had A Cervical Conization?
It is possible to carry a baby to term unassisted and have a natural delivery if you’ve had a cervical conization provided that enough of the cervix is left intact after your conization. In some circumstances, depending on the length of your cervix, your obstetrician may recommend a cerclage be put in place to help provide additional support to hold your cervix shut as you carry to term to help prevent preterm birth.
Contact Dr. Lucas Minig’s Clinic To Discuss if Cervical Conization is right for you.
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