Loop electrical excision procedure

Loop electrical excision procedure
Other namesLarge loop excision of the transformation zone
SpecialtyGynaecology

The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is one of the most commonly used approaches to treat high grade cervical dysplasia (CIN II/III, HGSIL) and early stage cervical cancer discovered on colposcopic examination. In the UK, it is known as large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ). It is considered a type of conization.[1] It has been in use since the 1970s, after its invention by Dr. Sheldon Weinstein. [2]

LEEP has many advantages including low cost and a high success rate.[3] The procedure can be done in an office setting and usually only requires a local anesthetic, though sometimes IV sedation or a general anesthetic is used.[4] Disadvantages include reports of decreased sexual satisfaction [5] and potential for preterm labor, though a meta-analysis published in 2014 suggested that in patients with existing CIN lesions as opposed to controls, the risk is not more than their baseline risk.[6] Approximately 500,000 LEEP procedures are performed in the U.S. annually. [7]

  1. ^ Pflugner, Lindsey (2024-03-21). "Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP): Background, Indications, Procedure". Medscape Reference. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  2. ^ "Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) | Embryo Project Encyclopedia". embryo.asu.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
  3. ^ "Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for abnormal cervical cell changes". Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  4. ^ Mayeaux, E.J. Jr. "Advantages of LEEP". Archived from the original on 2006-09-04. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
  5. ^ Inna, Namfon; Phianmongkhol, Yupin; Charoenkwan, Kittipat (1 March 2010). "Sexual function after loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical dysplasia". J Sex Med. 7 (3): 1291–1297. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01633.x. PMID 19968775.
  6. ^ Conner SN, Frey HA, Cahill AG, Macones GA, Colditz GA, Tuuli MG (April 2014). "Loop electrosurgical excision procedure and risk of preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Obstetrics and Gynecology. 123 (4): 752–61. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000000174. PMC 4113318. PMID 24785601.
  7. ^ Sklavos, Martha M.; Spracklen, Cassandra N.; Saftlas, Audrey F.; Pinto, Ligia A. (2014). "Does Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure of the Uterine Cervix Affect Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels?". BioMed Research International. 2014: 875438. doi:10.1155/2014/875438. ISSN 2314-6133. PMC 3953513. PMID 24707500.