Pregnancy complications following conization of the uterine cervix (II).

The effect of conization upon the course of pregnancy and the fertility has been evaluated. 44 women had a total of 66 pregnancies following conization. These 44 women were compared with an age-matched group of non-conized women, as well as with a group of non-conized women matched for both age and parity. There were more smokers among conized than among non-conized women. All other descriptive variables were found to be without significant differences between the groups compared. There was no significant difference in the frequency of spontaneous and induced abortion, prematurity or cesarean section between conized and non-conized women. The second stage of labor was found to be protracted in conized women. Fertility judged by the "latent period"--the time elapsed from the couple started sexual intercourse without use of contraception to the present pregnancy--showed no difference between conized and non-conized women. We conclude that although a greater number of patients is necessary to permit definite conclusions concerning the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications in conized women, it is of special interest that the present study did not demonstrate an increased risk of spontaneous abortion nor of prematurity.