Appropriate Interval for Repeat Excision in Women Undergoing Prior Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure for Cervical Neoplasia

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of intervals on complications and pathologicalexamination in women undergoing a repeat loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for cervical neoplasia.During October 2004 and January 2007, 78 women who had undergone repeat LEEP at Chiang Mai UniversityHospital, were prospectively evaluated. The mean age was 47.5 years (range; 27-69 years). The mean durationof uncomplicated vaginal bleeding was 4.4 days (range; 1-20 days). The occurrence of persistent vaginal bleedingwas noted in 9 women. Among 78 women, 2 (2.56%) and 7 (8.97%) experienced intraoperative and postoperativehemorrhage, respectively. Six (7.69%) had postoperative infection. These complications were not significantlydifferent from those observed in women undergoing first LEEP in the same period (P=0.56). There was nosignificant difference in the incidence of perioperative complications and the incidence of non-evaluable conemargins among women who undergoing repeat LEEP within 4-6 weeks, between 6-8 weeks, and more than 8weeks after first LEEP. In conclusion, repeat LEEP could be safely performed 4-12 weeks after the first procedurewithout any impact on pathological specimen examination.