LEEP: early experience with a new approach to cervical lesions

The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a new diagnostic and therapeutic approach for the management of cervical lesions found during the evaluation of abnormal findings from Papanicolaou smears. The procedure may be an alternative to laser therapy, cold knife conization, cryotherapy or hot cautery. The first 235 consecutive LEEPs performed at the Gundersen Clinic were reviewed 6 months after the last procedure was done. Twelve of 187 patients with follow up Papanicolaou smears and clinic visits had persistent disease. Nine of 187 patients had a repeat LEEP. LEEP was found to be a highly effective means for diagnosis and treatment as 98% of the patients were free of evidence of recurrent cervical lesions 6 months after the initial LEEP.