CO 2 laser conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a comparison with cold knife conization during...

Intraoperative and postoperative complications related to CO2 laser conization and cold knife conization were compared. From 1980 to 1984, 66 patients were hospitalized for cold knife conization. The mean operative time was 28.1 minutes, all patients had epidural anesthesia, and the mean time of admission was 6.8 days. Three percent of cases had infections, the mean intraoperative hemorrhage was 66 ml, and the rate of remaining foci of neoplasia was 18.2%. There were 116 patients hospitalized for CO2 laser conization from 1985 to 1987. The mean operative time was 15.6 minutes, 15.5% of patients had local anesthesia, and the mean time of admission was 0.6 days. No patients had infection or postoperative stenosis, the mean intraoperative hemorrhage was 75 ml, and 29.5% of patients had remaining foci of neoplasia. There was no significant difference in hemorrhage amounts at hysterectomy after conization using either method. In the 2 pregnant patients, CO2 laser conization could be performed safely and did not affect pregnancy or delivery. Thus in our experience, CO2 laser conization is more effective for clinical diagnosis and treating of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.