OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the absence of endocervical cells on Pap smear after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) as a possible marker for cervical stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All LEEPs performed at a public health teaching hospital caring for the indigent between July 1, 1999, and September 30, 2002, were reviewed; 1,190 eligible charts of patients were reviewed, and extracted data included the following: age, parity, ethnicity, histology obtained during colposcopy, volume of loop specimen taken, and follow-up Pap smear results. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred twenty-one patients had LEEPs during this period. One thousand one hundred ninety first follow-up Pap smears were evaluated; 200 patients had no follow-up Pap smears. The baseline background rate for absent endocervical cells was 7% for the general population. The study showed that the rate of absent endocervical cells on first follow-up Pap smears was 13.64% (173/1,193) (p = .03). The mean age of patients was 33.6 years; 11% (20/1,193) were aged older than 50 years. There was no significant difference with age and parity in the stenosis versus nonstenosis group. CONCLUSION: The LEEP was significantly associated with absent endocervical cells on follow-up Pap smears, which may be indicative of cervical stenosis.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the absence of endocervical cells on Pap smear after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) as a possible marker for cervical stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All LEEPs performed at a public health teaching hospital caring for the indigent between July 1, 1999, and September 30, 2002, were reviewed; 1,190 eligible charts of patients were reviewed, and extracted data included the following: age, parity, ethnicity, histology obtained during colposcopy, volume of loop specimen taken, and follow-up Pap smear results. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred twenty-one patients had LEEPs during this period. One thousand one hundred ninety first follow-up Pap smears were evaluated; 200 patients had no follow-up Pap smears. The baseline background rate for absent endocervical cells was 7% for the general population. The study showed that the rate of absent endocervical cells on first follow-up Pap smears was 13.64% (173/1,193) (p = .03). The mean age of patients was 33.6 years; 11% (20/1,193) were aged older than 50 years. There was no significant difference with age and parity in the stenosis versus nonstenosis group. CONCLUSION: The LEEP was significantly associated with absent endocervical cells on follow-up Pap smears, which may be indicative of cervical stenosis.
Authors: Judith R Mourant; Thérese J Bocklage; Tamara M Powers; Heather M Greene; Maxine H Dorin; Alan G Waxman; Meggan M Zsemlye; Harriet O Smith Journal: J Low Genit Tract Dis Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 1.925