Loop electrosurgical excision procedure with an intrauterine device in place.

Patients using an intrauterine device (IUD) who require a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for cervical dysplasia have traditionally had the IUD removed prior to the procedure. The only other options have been methods that lead to suboptimal sampling or risk cutting the strings. Our study suggests a procedure for performing the LEEP without removing the IUD, and review of the literature suggests that this method has not been reported before. The LEEP is performed using a conization electrode or a cone biopsy excisor. After noting that the IUD strings are of adequate length, a 0-polyglactin free tie is secured around the visible portion of the IUD strings without applying tension on the strings. A large, sterile absorbent-tipped applicator with a hollow handle becomes an 8 cm hollow plastic tube by removing the cotton tip with sterile scissors. The long end of the suture is threaded through the sterile tube. Without pulling on the IUD, the tube is then passed over the strings into the cervical canal approximately 2.5 cm to protect the strings from the excisor well into the cervical canal. Then, the LEEP is performed. After the specimen is removed, hemostasis can be obtained using a ball cautery electrode, keeping the protecting tube with the enclosed IUD strings out of the way. The tube is then carefully removed. The suture is now cut close to the polyglactin knot around the IUD strings, making certain not to shorten the IUD strings and making certain the visible length of the strings is the same as before the procedure. Ferric subsulfate is applied to the operative area to provide continued hemostasis. Follow-up for the LEEP is unchanged. This procedure may be performed on either levonorgestrel-releasing or copper IUDs.

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: a risk factor for cervical stenosis after loop electrosurgical excisional procedure management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?

OBJECTIVES: In our anecdotal experience and sporadically in the literature, gynecologists have observed a connection between patient's use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and increased occurrence of cervical stenosis during follow-up after loop electrosurgical excisional procedure (LEEP). We decided to formally examine this association in our clinic population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a chart review, enrolling 257 patients and tabulating data on demography, use of hormonal contraceptives, characteristics of the LEEP, and presence or absence of cervical stenosis at 1- and 6-month follow-up evaluations. Univariate tests of association between the independent variables and the dependent variable of cervical stenosis were examined via the chi and Student t tests for discrete and continuous variables, respectively. To characterize the relative importance of independent variables significantly associated with cervical stenosis, logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Of the 257 charts reviewed, 127 patients (49.4%) completed 1 and 6 months after LEEP follow-up appointments, providing adequate data for analysis. In this population, we observed 25 cases of cervical stenosis, or an overall rate of 19.7%. Of patients using DMPA at the time of LEEP or during the follow-up period, 9 (41.0%) of 22 developed stenosis, whereas of those who did not use DMPA, 16 (15.2%) of 105 developed stenosis, indicating a significant difference (odds ratio = 3.85, 95% CI = 1.41-10.50). CONCLUSIONS: In our clinic population, use of DMPA was associated with higher rates of development of cervical stenosis, calling for larger studies of the association of DMPA in this LEEP complication.