[The results of cone biopsy of the cervix in women who have not yet reached the menopause ].

The authors have studied the post-operative gynaecological and obstetrical results of conisation of the cervix in young women. Their study is of 143 conisations of which part of the subject is found in 81 cases where conisation was the only treatment for the cervical lesion. Haemorrage was an important complication occurring in 3 out of the 81 cases. Conisation does not alter the fertility of these women, who will require contraceptive measures to be taken if they want to avoid terminations of pregnancy. Pregnancy when it does continue in these patients after conisation is sometimes beset by complications due to this operation. Abortion occurs in 18% of cases and premature labour in 6%. The incidence of these complications is directly related to the amount of tissue cut out. When conisation is carried out during pregnancy the results can be bad. In these cases a limited conisation must be performed, or if possible this surgical manoeuvre should be done only after delivery.