Cone biopsy: a review of 112 cases

A chart review of 112 patients who underwent cold knife conisation was performed. Records showed that 73.5% of the patients smoked cigarettes and 26.5% were using oral contraception. In 85.7% of cases pre-operative cytology/colposcopy findings were within one grade of the cone histology. The majority of lesions were CIN III (59.9%). Only 4.5% were normal. Human papilloma virus infection was detected histologically in 26.8% of patients. Pre-operative punch biopsy was undertaken in only five cases. Post-operative haemorrhage (9.0%) and genito-urinary infection (9.0%) were the main complications seen. The incidence of residual disease and post-cone hysterectomy was significantly higher if the margins of resection of the cone were unclear. Large-loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) has now replaced cold knife conisation in both study centres due to its lower morbidity and reduced demand on hospital resources.