Microsurgical conization of the cervix by carbon dioxide laser

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser has been used to treat cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) by vaporization of colposcopically visible lesions. Recently, several investigators have reported a series of laser-treated CIN with very promising cure rates. The use of the laser to excise cervical tissue surgically has been neglected. A series of patients who have undergone cervical cone biopsies taken by the CO2 laser is presented. The tissue sections obtained from these cone biopsies arc suitable for pathologic interpretation and study. The complication rate for cervical conization by laser is very low. Other advantages of this method of cervical conization arc discussed.