Colposcopic evaluation of the abnormal Papanicolaou test in pregnancy.

Colposcopy, including colposcopically directed biopsies in selected cases, was employed to evaluate over 300 pregnant patients with abnormal Papanicolaou tests suggestive of mild dysplasia or worse (Class III to V). Over half of the patients had benign disorders determined by colposcopic examination. All cases of invasive disease were diagnosed by colposcopy and biopsy, and the patients were treated accordingly. Only 3 diagnostic conizations were necessary in the antepartum period. The majority of patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were seen post partum, and appropriate therapy was instituted. In the pregnant patient with an abnormal Papanicolaou test, colposcopy has proved to be a reliable and safe method of evaluation and has virtually eliminated the need for conization.