Squamous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: the role of laser treatment.

A review of the CO2 laser in the current management protocol for squamous cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is presented. The laser provides the clinician with a versatile instrument that enables accurate application of biophysical insults to the full range of CIN lesions likely to be encountered. Side effects and cure rates compare favourably with the alternative methods of local destruction presently available. The final benchmark of success of all such treatments will remain the prevention of subsequent invasive cancer as observed on long-term follow-up. It should be noted that for some of the methods discussed such information is not yet available.