Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone: An Outpatient Procedure

Authors: MEHMET RAFET GAZVANI, ÖZKAN ÖZTÜRK

Abstract: A prospective, observational study was carried out to assess the efficacy of Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ) as an outpatient procedure during the first visit of patients with abnormal cervical smears. One hundred and seven women were treated with LLETZ under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure at their first visit. All patients were followed up routinely with colposcopy, cytology, and also histology where appropriate for at least 6 months. In all cases, the specimens obtained were adequate for histopathological assessment, and in 103 cases (96%), the lesion had been completely excised. When compared, the degree of abnormality confirmed by histology was higher than cytologically suspected abnormality in 56 cases (52%). LLETZ under local anaesthesia during the first visit is an effective technique, superior to laser ablation and cone biopsy. It enables the diagnosis and treatment of patients with abnormal cervical smears in a single visit. Thus, adequate tissue is made available for accurate diagnosis, thereby improving the quality of care.

Keywords: CIN, LLETZ, Outpatient, Treatment, Diagnosis

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