[Cervical coagulation (author's transl)]

Coagulation of the cervix is one of the most frequently carried out gynaecological procedures. All the same, protagonists and antagonists produce numerous arguments about the indications for the operation, the best techniques to adopt and whether it does have any prophylactic action against cancer. The author, in this article, which reviews the arguments and counter-arguments, summarises the opinion of several specialists about this matter. The advice given seems to be very divided as far as the indications are concerned, the author himself reserving coagulation especially for those cervices from which pathological discharges emanate, after he has controlled the state by smears and colposcopy, and has considered atypical epithelia as a contra-indication to coagulation. The variety of techniques in use prove that the problem has not been resolved. To bipolar diathermy coagulation has followed cryosurgery and coagulation at 90 degrees C. Finally, the prophylactic role against cancer is discussed. Whatever the attitude taken, coagulation of the cervix does not mean that follow-up may be dispensed with.