ABSTRACT
AIMS: The prevalence of cervical cancer in a developing country, and diagnostic therapeutic value of knife conization for CIN, indications, cytopathologic results and complications of conization, were evaluated. METHODS: This retrospective- descriptive study concerned 44 cases that underwent conization. RESULTS: The age range of patients was 18-75 (mean=43), and parity ranges were from 0-10 (mean 4-5), ten cases were post-menopausal. The main indication was inability to visualize the entire T zone (19 cases) that was more prevalent in post-menopausal (5 cases and 14 cases premenopausal). The most common pap smear result was HSIL in 16 cases before conization. The most common colposcopic biopsy result was moderate dysplasia in 16 cases. Two cases had invasive cancer on colposcopic- biopsy: one of them had ASCUS in pap smear result and another one HSIL. The most common histologic result after conization was mild dysplasia in 23 cases. Four cases had invasive cancer in histology of the cervix with conization. Active hemorrhage occurred in 2 cases and urinary infection in 1 case after conization. CONCLUSIONS: Pap smear results in screening of cervical cancer are not reliable and colposcopy is more acceptable for LSIL and ASCUS. All gynecologist should develop the skill to perform accurate knife conization, because the classical indications for conization continue to be valid, and it has low risk of complications.