Colposcopic evaluation of cervical neoplasia in pregnancy

The need for histologic examination of the cervix during pregnancy is not uncommon. Classically, the cone biopsy has been the diagnostic procedure of choice, but this procedure is attended by a significant and excessive complication rate. The cumulative data strongly supports the conclusion that the combination of cytology and colposcopically directed biopsy can be relied upon to provide an accurate diagnosis in a high percentage of patients. Colposcopy should be a routine diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of patients with abnormal Pap smears or grossly abnormal cervices.