Histological and histochemical studies of the effect of a devitalizing preparation on the cervix uteri.

Solcogyn is a new acid preparation for the treatment of benign changes in the portio uteri. Histological and histochemical investigations of the treated cervix in patients scheduled for hysterectomy revealed a differential effect of this acid mixture in that ectocervical squamous epithelium was scarcely affected, while ectopic and endocervical cylindrical epithelium and the subepithelial stroma were devitalized by in vivo fixation. The maximum depth of penetration of the fixative effect was 2.5 mm. The treated cervical ectopies and transformation zones re-epithelialized within 3-4 weeks. The comparatively slight but sufficiently deep devitalization of affected tissue explains the clinical advantages observed with this preparation as compared to thermocoagulation and cryotherapy.