LARGE LOOP EXCISION OF THE TRANSFORMATION ZONE (LLETZ) - AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA

The technique of large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) as an alternative to destructive/ablative methods of treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) such as cryotherapy, laser vaporization and cone biopsy of uterine cervix is assessed. Forty-five patients underwent this procedure for either diagnostic or therapeutic reasons. It was well-tolerated, and minor bleeding occurred in 4.4% of patients. The quality of the histological specimen was excellent in all cases, only two showing evidence of charring artefacts. In 11 patients (24.4%), a more serious lesion was detected than that found at punch biopsy of the cervix. This method offers a cheaper and more effective alternative to laser vaporization and combines the benefits of the gold standard cone biopsy of the cervix with that of local ablative techniques.