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I would like to know if the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is safe when I have just found out that I am pregnant and I don't want to lose this pregnancy, because it will be my last one.
John Comerci, MD (Febuary 6, 2006):
LEEP cone biopsies and cold-knife cone biopsies should only be done in pregnancy if there is a suspicion of microinvasive or invasive carcinoma of the cervix either by a biopsy or by a Pap. The diagnosis of severe dysplasia is not in and of itself an indication for a LEEP or cold knife cone biopsy in pregnancy.
If a cone biopsy needs to be done in pregnancy it should ideally be performed between 12-14 weeks gestation and consideration should be given to placing a cervical cerclage at that time. This helps control blood loss and may prevent pregnancy loss. The risk of pregnancy loss is quoted to be between 5-15%. The risk is higher, the greater the gestational age is beyond 14 weeks.
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What are the risks of a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure during pregnancy?