Laser vaporization conization.

Laser vaporization conization is a modified technique for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Two circles are marked on the cervix with the laser; the inner circle outlines the circumference of the conization specimen, while the outer one outlines an area 3 mm peripheral to all colposcopically abnormal tissue. The area between the circles is vaporized to 7 mm. This initial vaporization allows easier manipulation of the conization specimen. Laser conization is then performed. This technique is significantly easier to perform than laser excisional conization or combination excisional-vaporization conization and thus is ideal for teaching residents laser conization. Besides ease of performance, laser vaporization conization retains the advantages of laser vaporization and provides a specimen for pathologic review. In this study the median laser time was 14 minutes. There was minimal operative hemorrhaging, and only one patient (2%) developed a secondary cervical hemorrhage. A significant laser artifact was present in one case (2%). One case of invasive squamous cell cancer was diagnosed.