Cervical Conization Treatment

Cervical conization, or cone biopsy, is a surgical method of examining a woman's cervix for precancerous or cancerous growths. It is typically performed when less invasive means are inconclusive in identifying these conditions. Conization also is performed to remove dangerous growths once they are identified. The procedure takes its name from the cone-shaped segment of tissue removed from the cervix.

Reasons for Cervical Conization

• The chain of events leading to cervical conization begins with abnormal findings on a Pap test---an examination to detect abnormalities in the cervical tissue. In some cases, these abnormalities are the first sign of dysplasia, or precancerous growths. They may also be a sign of actual cancer cells. If your gynecologist is concerned about the results of your Pap test, he will conduct further testing to precisely determine the nature of any abnormalities.

  Typically, the first test used for this purpose is a colposcopy, or magnified visual examination of your cervix. If the colposcopy is inconclusive, you will likely undergo a cervical biopsy, an outpatient procedure in which samples are taken from each tissue abnormality. If this procedure is also inconclusive, a cervical conization may be performed as a definitive test. You may also have a conization if dysplasia is identified as cancerous or precancerous by other testing methods.

Surgery

• Cervical conization is done under local anesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Whichever method is chosen, you will need to fast for six to 12 hours before surgery. Once you are sedated, your surgeon will clean away any mucus on the surface of your cervix and insert two stitches as a precaution against bleeding. She will then cut a cone-shaped segment of your cervix, beginning at the cervical opening and moving in toward the cervical canal. In this way, the opening of your uterus---where dysplasia most typically appears---is removed for further examination.

  The final phase of cervical conization depends on the reasons for your surgery. If surgery is meant to diagnose the presence of dysplasia, the tissue surrounding the removed segment is sutured into place for healing. If surgery is meant to remove confirmed dysplasia, the borders around the removed segment are treated, to eliminate any stray dangerous cells, and sealed. Methods used here include heat treatment (cauterization), laser treatment and tissue freezing (cryotherapy).

Aftercare and Potential Complications

• Healing from cervical conization typically takes five or six weeks. After the procedure, you likely will feel some significant pain, which may be treated with oral medications. You will need to wait two or three weeks before exercising, and avoid tampons, douching and sexual intercourse until you are fully recovered.

  Potential complications of cervical conization include heavy bleeding, infection, scar tissue development and perforation of the uterus. In some cases, the procedure results in infertility and increased risks of future miscarriage. You may also have inaccurate Pap test results for a number of months. Consult your surgeon or gynecologist for a full explanation of all possible surgical outcomes.