Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
05:52
Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping and Biopsy for Endometrial Cancer at Early Stage with Laparoscopy
Published on: August 19, 2021
Endocervical margin involvement as an important risk factor for abnormal cytology after LLETZ
Hye-Yon Cho1, Yong-Beom Kim, Jae Hong No
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang-Gu, Seongnam, Kyeonggi-Do, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Older age and positive endocervical margins are key risk factors for abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears following large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). Lower histologic grades also indicate increased risk for abnormal Pap tests after LLETZ.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Cervical Pathology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears are a significant concern in women's health.
- Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is a common procedure for managing cervical dysplasia.
- Identifying risk factors for post-LLETZ abnormal Pap smears is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the risk factors associated with abnormal Pap smear results after LLETZ.
- To analyze the correlation between clinicopathologic characteristics and abnormal follow-up cytology post-LLETZ.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 343 women who underwent LLETZ between 2006 and 2008.
- Analysis of associations between clinicopathologic factors (including margin status) and abnormal follow-up Pap smears.
- Logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors.
Main Results:
- 12.2% of women experienced abnormal Pap smears after LLETZ.
- Older age at the time of LLETZ and positive endocervical resection margins were significant risk factors (P=0.020 and P=0.004, respectively).
- Lower histologic grades of LLETZ pathology were inversely correlated with abnormal follow-up cytology (P=0.018).
Conclusions:
- Older age, positive endocervical margins, and lower histologic grades of LLETZ pathology are independent risk factors for abnormal Pap smears post-LLETZ.
- A positive endocervical margin is a critical predictor of abnormal follow-up cytology.
- Women with negative exocervical or deep cervical margins may benefit from reassured follow-up.
