The Role of Surgeonsʼ Colposcopic Experience in Obtaining Adequate Samples by Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone in Women of Reproductive Age

Abstract

Introduction: There is insufficient reporting on the level of colposcopic training for the safe use of large loop excision of the transformation zone. The aim of this study was to perform a quality assessment of large loop excision of the transformation zone in women of reproductive age by evaluating the surgeonsʼ colposcopic experience.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on diagnostic or therapeutic large loop excision of the transformation zone. The following variables were analyzed: age, parity, indications for surgery, level of surgeonʼs colposcopic experience, definitive histological diagnosis, margin involvement, and the presence and type of artifacts interfering with the pathological interpretation. Patients were divided into three groups: group A – 75 patients treated by junior colposcopists; group B – 74 patients treated by experienced colposcopists, and group C – 117 patients treated by expert colposcopists.

Results: Regarding the presence and diagnostic significance of the artifacts the groups were significantly different. Inadequate samples were the least frequent in group C. Artifacts precluding histological diagnosis were the most common in group A. The margins were predominantly inconclusive in group A.

Conclusions: A high rate of artifacts is a disadvantage of the large loop excision of the transformation zone performed by surgeons less skilled for colposcopy. Although large loop excision of the transformation zone is considered to be a minor surgery, skills in colposcopy are an essential prerequisite for optimal results.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung: Es gibt nur wenige Berichte über die Bedeutung ausreichender Erfahrung in der Kolposkopie für die Sicherheit bei großflächigen Resektionen der Transformationszone. Ziel der Studie war es, die Qualität bei großflächigen Schlingenexzisionen der Transformationszone (LLETZ) zu bewerten, die bei Frauen im gebärfähigen Alter durchgeführt wurden. Es wurde untersucht, inwieweit die Qualität des Eingriffs mit der kolposkopischen Erfahrung des Chirurgen korrelierte.

Material und Methoden: Es wurde eine retrospektive Kohortenstudie bei Patientinnen durchgeführt, die einer diagnostischen oder therapeutischen LLETZ zugeführt wurden. Dabei wurden die folgenden Variablen untersucht: Alter, Anzahl vorhergehender Geburten, Indikationen zur chirurgischen Therapie, kolposkopische Erfahrung des Chirurgen, endgültige histologische Diagnose, Tumorfreiheit der Resektionsränder sowie Anwesenheit von und Art der Artefakte, die eine pathologische Diagnose nur einschränkt erlaubten. Die Patientinnen wurden in 3 Gruppen eingeteilt: Gruppe A bestand aus 75 Patientinnen, die von Assistenzärzten untersucht wurden, die noch nicht viel Erfahrung mit der Kolposkopie gesammelt hatten; Gruppe B bestand aus 74 Patientinnen, die von Ärzten mit mehrjähriger Erfahrung in der Kolposkopie behandelt wurden; Gruppe C bestand aus 117 Patientinnen, die von Fachärzten mit langjähriger Erfahrung in der Kolposkopie behandelt wurden.

Ergebnisse: Die Gruppen unterschieden sich signifikant im Hinblick auf die Anwesenheit von Artefakten und der diagnostischen Wertigkeit der entnommenen Proben. In der Gruppe C war die Anzahl inadäquater Proben am geringsten. Artefakte, die eine histologische Diagnose verhinderten, kamen am häufigsten in der Gruppe A vor. Bei den Frauen der Gruppe A waren die Resektionsränder meist nicht eindeutig.

Schlussfolgerung: Die höchste Artefaktrate bei der LLETZ fand sich in der Gruppe von Ärzten mit geringer Erfahrung in der Kolposkopie. Obwohl die großflächige Schlingenresektion der Transformationszone als kleiner Eingriff gewertet wird, ist eine langjährige Erfahrung in der Kolposkopie eine wesentliche Voraussetzung, um optimale Ergebnisse zu erzielen.

Key words

LLETZ - specimen - conization - artifacts - colposcopic experience

Schlüsselwörter

LLETZ - Probe - Konisation - Artefakte - kolposkopische Erfahrung

Introduction

Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is a commonly used technique for managing women with pathological changes on the uterine cervix, which has gained worldwide acceptance due to its numerous advantages [1], [2], [3], [4]. Unlike ablative methods, LLETZ allows histological examination of the excised tissue [1], [2], [3], [4].

However, LLETZ causes thermal damage of specimens [5], due to the use of electricity, which simultaneously cuts and coagulates the tissue [6]. Thermal artifacts interfere with the pathological analysis [7]. Furthermore, there is the problem of multiple excisions, which are necessary to manage large ectocervical lesions. This causes specimen fragmentation that hampers assessment of the margins [8]. All those factors may have a negative impact on the further management of women in reproductive age, who need an accurate and minimally invasive treatment for their future fertility.

LLETZ effectiveness and cure rates, adverse effects, complications, both short-term and long-term clinical outcomes and its influence on fertility have been widely investigated [1]. However, the risk factors for obtaining inadequate specimen and subsequent difficulties in histological interpretation, particularly in terms of surgeonsʼ skills and experience in colposcopy, are yet to be identified [3], [9].

The aim of this study was to perform the quality assessment of LLETZ procedure in women of reproductive age, by investigating the colposcopic experience of the surgeons, and its influence on the presence, diagnostic significance and type of artifacts and their influence on histological interpretation and specimen adequacy.

Materials and Methods

Study design

A retrospective cohort study was performed in a university-affiliated hospital over a four-year period, between January 2010 and December 2013. The Institutional Review Board approved the study.

Our colposcopy service provides consultations for patients that are referred for abnormal Pap smears and/or colposcopies. Women suspected of having cervical dysplasia or HPV lesions following a Pap test and a colposcopy are either referred to a biopsy or a LLETZ procedure, based on the judgment of the attending colposcopist and the patientʼs wishes. In addition, our colposcopy clinic provides consultative service for patients included in the IVF procedures covered by the national health care system, as well as for the patients from national transplantation clinics. In such patients, a follow-up is not acceptable and immediate LLETZ treatment of any abnormalities is requested. LLETZ indications further included discrepancies between cytology, colposcopy and biopsy results, persistent (> 2 years) low-grade abnormalities, according to the national protocol and patientsʼ request for maximum oncological safety. Some of the patients were treated with LLETZ procedure upon their request, as some women were not willing to comply with the other treatment modalities or/and follow-up visits. In our culture, patients prefer LLETZ conization to other treatments, as they traditionally consider this approach to be oncologically safer. This is probably due to the absence of well-organized screening programs and a relatively high mortality of invasive cervical cancer in our country. Thus, some of the patients in our study had been submitted directly to LLETZ instead of to diagnostic biopsy. In such patients, the indications for the LLETZ treatment included abnormal colposcopy and/or cytology.

LLETZ excision procedure

All patients gave informed consent for the LLETZ. All the procedures were performed under general anesthesia using Valley Lab Force Triad Electrosurgical Unit (Covidien Ltd, Dublin, Ireland). Loop electrodes were chosen by surgeonsʼ preference, either 20 × 15 mm or 10 × 10 mm curvilinear loop and ball 3 mm or 5 mm in diameter. Unit was calibrated from 35 watt to 45 watt.

Selection of patients

The exclusion criteria were pregnancy, age over 45, menopausal status, invasive or micro invasive carcinoma of the cervix, adenocarcinoma in situ, and re-treatment for positive margins after previous surgery, and missing data relevant for the study. The following data from the pathological records were taken: age, parity, and previous cervix treatment, indication for surgery, surgeonʼs level of colposcopic experience, definitive histological diagnosis and margin involvement, specimen fragmentation, presence and type of artifacts and their interference with the histological interpretation. The LLETZ indications were divided into three categories: abnormal Pap smear, colposcopy, or histology (in cases of prior biopsy). According to biopsy results, histological diagnoses were divided into subcategories: condyloma, CIN 1, CIN 2 and CIN 3. Surgeons were grouped according to their experience in colposcopy into three categories: expert, experienced and junior colposcopists. The descriptors of the groups by experience are presented in [Table 1]. A total of 266 patients were divided into three groups: group A – 75 patients operated by juniors; group B – 74 patients operated by experienced, and group C – 117 patients operated by expert colposcopists.

Table 1 The descriptors of the groups by experience.

Category	Definition
Expert colposcopist	Gynecologists certified in colposcopy, with more than 20 years in experience, performing more than 30 colposcopies per week and performing colposcopy consultations for other groups, also involved in both lectures and practical education at the National School of Colposcopy
Experienced colposcopist	Gynecologists certified in colposcopy, with more than 10 and less than 20 years of experience, performing 15 to 30 colposcopies per week, who are involved in practical education at the National School of Colposcopy
Junior colposcopist	Gynecologists certified in colposcopy, with less than 10 years of experience, performing up to 15 colposcopies per week, who are not involved in any kind of education at the National School of Colposcopy

Histopathological procedure

The specimens were collected in plastic boxes, separately fixed, labeled and microscopically evaluated. Pathologists proficient in gynecological pathology, who provide pathological reviewing for national referral service, assessed histological diagnosis and margin involvement. They were not blinded to the surgery indications. Margin status was reported for all the pieces in cases of specimen fragmentation. The artifacts determined by the pathologist were grouped according to their influence on histological diagnosis as absent, present but not interfering with the histological diagnosis and present as well as interfering with the histological diagnosis. The types of artifacts assessed were categorized as thermal damage, fragmentation and multiple artifacts. Mechanical damage of the specimen was not described as an isolated artifact in any of the cases.

Statistical analysis

The data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 (Chicago, USA), with a significance level set at 0.05. For continuous variables, the differences between groups were compared by 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). ANOVA was performed with a Brown-Forsythe adjustment for heteroscedasticity and with post-hoc Tukey or Dunnettʼs T3 procedure for multiple comparisons. The Pearson χ² and likelihood ratio χ² as appropriate were used for proportions.

Results

Characteristics of investigated patients

There were no differences between the patients in the defined groups analyzing the age, age at menarche, number of previous abortions and deliveries, previous cervix treatment and LLETZ indications. The majority of the patients, 177 (66.54 %) were nulliparous. Patientsʼ demographic and clinical data are presented in [Table 2].

Table 2 Patientsʼ demographic and clinical data.

Data	Total (n = 266)	Group A (n = 75)	Group B (n = 74)	Group C (n = 117)	p
a ANOVA was performed with a Brown-Forsythe adjustment for heteroscedasticity and with post-hoc Tukey or Dunnettʼs T3 procedure for multiple comparisons of unequal variances; b Between-groups comparison with equal variance was performed by 1-way ANOVA; c Likelihood ratio χ2; d Pearsonʼs χ2 test.
Patientsʼ characteristic (mean ± SD)
Age (years)	31.58 ± 5.66	31.81 ± 5.79	31.65 ± 6.32	31.38 ± 5.16	0.871 a
Menarche (years)	13.09 ± 1.39	13.19 ± 1.34	13.02 ± 1.35	13.07 ± 1.45	0.796b
Number of abortions	0.31 ± 0.66	0.29 ± 0.59	0.46 ± 0.80	0.24 ± 0.60	0.081 a
Number of deliveries	0.46 ± 0.81	0.50 ± 0.84	0.46 ± 0.91	0.44 ± 0.73	0.893b
Clinical data n (%)
Previous treatment of the cervix
None	247 (92.86)	72 (96.00)	70 (94.59)	105 (89.74)	0.451c
Destruction	3 (1.13)	0 (−)	1 (1.35)	2 (1.71)
Excision	16 (6.02)	3 (4.00)	3 (4.05)	10 (8.55)
Indication for LLETZ
Abnormal Pap	135 (50.75)	41 (54.67)	38 (51.35)	56 (47.86)	0.287 d
Colposcopy	46 (17.29)	8 (10.67)	17 (22.97)	21 (17.95)
Histology	85 (31.95)	26 (34.67)	19 (25.68)	40 (34.19)

Characteristics of assessed specimens

There was a significant difference among the groups with respect to specimen adequacy for pathological assessment. Overall, 238 specimens were adequate for pathological assessment, most frequently in group C (94.87 %). Out of 28 inadequate specimens, 53.57 % were in group A. Groups exhibited differences in terms of both the presence and the diagnostic significance of the artifacts. Artifacts were most commonly present in group A, and absent in group C. Diagnostically significant artifacts, interfering with the histological diagnosis, were present in 28 (10.53 %) of the cases, with significant differences among the groups. Artifacts precluding histological diagnosis were most common in group A (53.57 % of the cases). There was no difference among the groups regarding the type of artifacts. The most common artifacts were thermal (11.28 %), followed by multiple artifacts (9.40 %), while fragmentation (4.14 %) was the least present. Multiple artifacts were most common in group A. Of the 266 specimens, 176 (66.17 %) were obtained in one piece, without differences between the groups (p = 0.160). However, it is noteworthy that the number of fragments was the highest in group A (data not shown). The data about the quality and adequacy of the specimen are listed in [Table 3].

Table 3 Specimen adequacy and quality.

Parameter	Total n = 266 (%)	Group A n = 75 (%)	Group B n = 74 (%)	Group C n = 117 (%)	p
a Pearsonʼs χ2 test; b Likelihood ratio χ2.
Specimen adequacy
Adequate	238 (89.47)	60 (80.00)	67 (90.54)	111 (94.87)	0.004a
Inadequate	28 (10.53)	15 (20.00)	7 (9.46)	6 (5.13)
Presence of artifacts
Absent	200 (75.19)	52 (69.33)	51 (68.92)	97 (82.91)	0.036a
Present	66 (24.81)	23 (30.67)	23 (31.08)	20 (17.09)
Diagnostic significance of artifacts
Absent	200 (75.19)	52 (69.33)	51 (68.92)	97 (82.91)	0.004a
Present and diagnostically not significant	38 (14.29)	8 (10.67)	16 (21.62)	14 (11.97)
Present and diagnostically significant	28 (10.53)	15 (20.00)	7 (9.46)	6 (5.13)
Type of artifacts
Absent	200 (75.19)	53 (70.67)	51 (68.92)	96 (82.05)	0.080b
Thermal damage	30 (11.28)	6 (8.00)	13 (17.57)	11 (9.40)
Fragmentation	11 (4.14)	5 (6.67)	4 (5.41)	2 (1.71)
Multiple artifacts	25 (9.40)	11 (14.67)	6 (8.11)	8 (6.84)
Specimen fragmentation
One piece	176 (66.17)	43 (57.33)	51 (68.92)	82 (70.09)	0.160a
Two and more pieces	90 (33.83)	32 (42.67)	23 (31.08)	35 (29.91)

Histology and margin status of specimens

There was no difference among the groups regarding definitive histological diagnosis, although it was close to a statistical significance (p = 0.088). In terms of margin status, there was a significant difference among the groups. Endocervical and ectocervical margins were most frequently inconclusive in group A. Out of 27 specimens with both margins inconclusive, 55.56 % were in the group A. The incidence of positive ectocervical margin throughout the study was 8.27 %, with the lowest frequency in group C (7 of 117, i.e. 5.98 %). Out of 184 specimens with both margins negative, 45.11 % were in group C, 30.43 % were in group B and 25.46 % were in group A. Definitive histological diagnoses and margin status of the specimens are listed in [Table 4].

Table 4 Histological diagnoses and margin status of the specimen.

Parameter	Total n = 266 (%)	Group A n = 75 (%)	Group B n = 74 (%)	Group C n = 117 (%)	p
a Pearsonʼs χ2 test; b Likelihood ratio χ2.
Histological diagnosis
Normal	80 (30.08)	19 (25.33)	25 (33.78)	36 (30.77)	0.088a
Condyloma	34 (12.78)	12 (16.00)	14 (18.92)	8 (6.84)
CIN 1	30 (11.28)	8 (10.67)	10 (13.51)	12 (10.26)
CIN 2	27 (10.15)	6 (8.00)	9 (12.16)	12 (10.26)
CIN 3	95 (35.71)	30 (40.00)	16 (21.62)	49 (41.88)
Margin status
Ectocervical margin
Negative	217 (81.58)	53 (70.67)	59 (79.73)	105 (89.74)	0.005a
Positive	22 (8.27)	7 (9.33)	8 (10.81)	7 (5.98)
Inconclusive	27 (10.15)	15 (20.00)	7 (9.46)	5 (4.27)
Endocervical margin
Negative	188 (70.68)	47 (62.67)	57 (77.03)	84 (71.79)	0.011a
Positive	50 (18.80)	13 (17.33)	10 (13.51)	27 (23.08)
Inconclusive	28 (10.53)	15 (20.00)	7 (9.46)	6 (5.13)
Margin condition (both margins)
Both margins negative	184 (69.17)	45 (60.00)	56 (75.68)	83 (70.94)	0.007b
Both margins positive	18 (6.77)	5 (6.67)	7 (9.46)	6 (5.13)
Both margins inconclusive	27 (10.15)	15 (20.00)	7 (9.46)	5 (4.27)
One margin positive	36 (13.53)	10 (13.33)	4 (5.41)	22 (18.80)
One margin inconclusive	1 (0.38)	0 (−)	0 (−)	1 (0.85)

Discussion

Adequate management of cervical dysplasia is an important step in cervical cancer prevention [10]. The cure rates following LLETZ have been broadly investigated with respect to patientsʼ age, parity, size and grade of lesion, cone size and volume, as well as the use of various LLETZ technique modifications [2], [4], [11], [12], [13]. However, data on surgeonsʼ colposcopic experience and its influence on specimen quality, the presence and diagnostic significance of the artifacts have been inadequately studied. The difficulties in margin assessment due to the presence of artifacts are also described, particularly from the pathologistsʼ point of view [8]. Surgical textbooks and publications often underline the significant influence of surgical experience on surgery results [6], [14]. Nevertheless, surgical experience is not the only determining factor of LLETZ specimen quality. The issue of sufficient colposcopic experience to verify oneʼs certification for the LLETZ has not been evaluated enough. LLETZ is performed by surgeons experienced in both oncology and colposcopy, as well as by general practitioners and nurses, sometimes with very limited experience in colposcopy. This is due to the belief that LLETZ has an easier learning curve in comparison to the other conization techniques [2].

Inadequate specimens increase the treatment failure rate; they impair the patientʼs psychological well-being and cause additional costs. Besides, publications about possible adverse perinatal outcomes after LLETZ pose a serious question regarding its application in women of reproductive age by surgeons inexperienced in colposcopy [15], [16]. Thus, inadequate treatment of cervical dysplasia in women of the reproductive age influences both the risk of future cervical cancer development and perinatal complications [2].

Adequate histological interpretation of the LLETZ specimen requires complete assessment of the margins. Literature data suggest that several patient and surgeon characteristics may influence sample adequacy [3]. Patient related factors include habitus, relaxation and vaginal compliance, age, parity, indication for the surgery and morphology and grade of the disease. Surgeon related factors include experience and colposcopic impression lesion morphology, loop size shape and speed of passage through the tissue, current settings and colposcopic interposition [7], [17].

Our study groups did not differ in relation to demographic and clinical data. We documented a lower incidence of artifacts with the higher the level of colposcopic expertise. Furthermore, colposcopy experience significantly influenced margin status, as well as the presence and diagnostic significance of the artifacts. Both inadequate specimens and artifacts were the most frequent in group A. Artifacts precluding margin assessment were the most frequent in group A. The type of artifacts was not influenced by colposcopy experience, although multiple artifacts were most frequent in group A. LLETZ procedure is associated with thermal artifacts at all the margins, which could limit the adequacy and quality of the specimen and preclude margin assessment [7], [8], [13]. The published incidence rates are up to 48 % [18]. Wright et al. [19] found the range of thickness of the coagulated zone in LLETZ cones to be 0.150 to 0.830 mm, with a mean of 0.396 mm. Baggish et al. [20] found the depth of coagulation at the ectocervical margin to be 0.187 mm and at the endocervical margin 0.295 mm. Nevertheless, the presence of thermal injury influences the interpretation of the margins only in specimens with no healthy tissue between the dysplastic and coagulated area. The frequency of thermal artifacts in our study corresponds to the previously published results, and its incidence is confirmed to be surgeon dependent [21], [22]. Messing et al. [8] evaluated the specimens obtained by residents and found that 26.09 % of them had severe thermal artifacts precluding the evaluation for both the grade of dysplasia and the margins. Thermal artifacts are determined by the loop size, speed of cutting, electrical energy and tissue conductivity [3], [8], [17]. In cases of repeated excisions, artifacts are present on all sides of the specimens, except on the ectocervical surface [8]. Incidence of thermal artifacts and depth of the coagulation zone could be reduced with appropriate loop size, adequate power settings and improvement of surgeonsʼ colposcopic skills. All the above-mentioned factors, except tissue conductivity are surgeon dependent and influenced by experience [8].

Specimen fragmentation mainly results from poor surgical technique and it increases diagnostic uncertainty [8]. In cases of large ectocervical lesions, multiple excisions are inevitable as loop size limits the size of the cone, which is not true for cold knife or laser conization. Based on the recommendations of the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme from the United Kingdom, at least 80 % of the LLETZ procedures should result in single piece specimen, which is a marker of good practice [23]. Still, the rate of single fragment LLETZ cones in literature ranges from 49 to 92 % [2], [6]. The trainee status in colposcopy was previously established to be a substantial risk factor for specimen fragmentation [3]. Cure rates are also lower in cases of lesions treated with multiple LLETZ excisions. Papoutsis et al. [2], [24] found that increased incidence of multiple excisions, even when performed by experienced colposcopists, did not result in a higher rate of negative margins. Bharathan et al. [3] documented an influence of specimen fragmentation on both the margin involvement and inconclusive margins, while trainee status was related to specimen fragmentation, which was present in 25 % of patients. Despite failing to prove that colposcopy experience influenced fragmentation, we found that the rate of fragmented specimens was inversely related to colposcopic experience.

The incidence of positive ectocervical margins may be reduced by performing the excision under colposcopic guidance. However, this cannot reduce the incidence of positive ectocervical margins, if a surgeon is not properly trained in colposcopy. An incidence of positive margins of 39.96 % was reported in a study where the majority of LLETZ procedures were performed by residents [8]. We documented the lowest incidence of negative margins in group A. Miroshnichenko et al. [25] found that the incidence of positive margins was 38 % in LLETZ procedures performed by experienced gynecologic oncologists. Out of 96 specimens, 85 % had entirely interpretable margins. Urlich et al. [9] established that certification in colposcopy influences the rate of positive margins in a study including 334 CKCs and 25 LLETZ. None of the specimens obtained by gynecologists certified in colposcopy had uncertain margins, so they concluded that certification and experience in colposcopy improves the rate of free margins, which corresponds to our results. Apart from colposcopic experience, the lowest rate of inconclusive endocervical margins in group C can be explained by the lowest rate of fragmented samples in this group. Although we failed to prove a difference in the incidence of specimen fragmentation among the groups, this does not necessarily mean that fragmentation has no clinical significance on the occurrence of inconclusive margins. Montz et al. [7] documented a lesser depth of coagulation artifacts at the endocervix in cases of single specimens as compared to fragmented ones. Boardman et al. [26] found an incidence of inconclusive margins of 27 % in women operated by physicians in training, which is similar with the incidence of inconclusive margins in group A.

The status of margins determines both the postoperative follow-up and management. In cases of inconclusive margins, the lesion may be both entirely excised and not excised. Such patients require further close follow-up, diagnostics or even repeated treatment, which increases healthcare costs, and physiciansʼ anxiety, and disrupts patientsʼ quality of life. In women of reproductive age, this outcome could postpone pregnancy. Thus, for women desiring pregnancy, we suggest that expert colposcopists should perform LLETZ, because LLETZ could also lead to unfavorable perinatal outcomes [15], [16].

This study has several drawbacks. The analyzed data were generated from pathological reports, which may limit their quality. Nevertheless, a retrospective study design allowed us to study the LLETZ practice without bias, by not allowing surgeons to adjust their technique and patient selection according to the nature of investigation. This eliminates the Hawthorne effect, and, therefore, we believe that the obtained results could be clinically useful to those who treat women of reproductive age with cervical dysplasia.

The high rate of cone specimens free of disease is another limitation of our study, which is influenced by the indications for the procedure. Nevertheless in our setting, regardless of the histological specimen diagnosis, pathologists in their reports describe as part of routine practice the quality of the specimen, margin status and presence of artifacts, as well as the number of fragments. This is customary both in cases with cervical dysplasia and where it is absent. As the aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of specimens, in terms of the presence of artifacts that could possibly interfere with pathological assessment, the authors believe that the surgical technique was not influenced by the specimen histology, thus enabling us to compare the performance of various surgeons in all the cases included.

Our investigation is lacking data on managing patients with positive and inconclusive margins, as well as follow-up data. The results are not applicable to all women, given that we have only studied women of reproductive age treated with LLETZ. Although our results represent the experience of one teaching hospital, we must underline that they also represent the practice of 48 surgeons with different levels of colposcopic experience. In the hands of surgeons with less experience in colposcopy, as we demonstrated, LLETZ is compromised by the following disadvantages: a high frequency of artifacts and inconclusive margins.

Conclusions

We believe that our study will provide valuable information for the education of the medical personnel managing cervical dysplasia by LLETZ. Although LLETZ is considered a minor surgery, this study indicates that skills in colposcopy are an essential prerequisite for optimal results.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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