Is routine colposcopic assessment necessary following laser ablation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?

The colposcopic and cytological findings at follow-up of 1000 women treated by laser ablation for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or human papillomavirus infection at the Regional Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Gateshead, were reviewed. Colposcopy detected six of 27 patients with residual disease compared with cytology which was abnormal in 26 of the 27 and detected 21 as abnormal on the first visit after laser treatment. In our unit invasive disease after laser treatment was never detected solely on initial colposcopic review.