Residual lesions in uterine specimens after loop electrosurgical excision procedure in patients with CIN

To identify the risk factors for residual lesion in hysterectomy specimens after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 594 patients who underwent total hysterectomy after LEEP for CIN at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University between July 2006 and June 2015. Among the 594 patients, there were no residual lesions in uterine specimens of 409 (68.9%) patients; residual CIN1 was found in 24 (4%) patients, CIN2 and CIN3 in 142 (23.9%) patients, and cervical cancer in 19 (3.2%) patients. On univariate analysis age, menopausal status, margin involvement, lesion grade, abnormal endocervical curettage (ECC) result, and persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection post operation were significantly associated with residual lesions after LEEP (P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis using the logistic regression model showed abnormal ECC result and persistent HPV positivity to be independent risk factors for residual lesions after LEEP. LEEP with positive margins and persistent HPV infection were also associated with high risk of invasive cervical cancer in CIN2+ patients.

Abnormal ECC result and post-treatment HPV infection are predictors of residual lesion after LEEP. In combination, they could be useful for risk stratification and selection of the management approach. Postmenopausal CIN2+ patients with positive margins and persistent postoperative HPV infection may have high risk of cervical invasive cancer.