Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure it’s a treatment that prevents cervical cancer. A small electrical wire loop is used to remove abnormal cells from your cervix.
The operation is performed when:
Abnormal cells need to be removed from the cervix, which have been checked by colposcopy and / or biopsy.
we can not check with colposcopy the entire extent of the pathological tissue
it is necessary to clarify the results of a pathological Pap test
in case we want to confirm malignancy
How effective is LEEP?
LEEP removes all abnormal cervical cells most of the time. If LEEP doesn’t remove all of the abnormal cells, you may have to have LEEP again, or your doctor or nurse may recommend more tests or a different treatment
The method
Although the operation can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia with “intoxication” is usually preferred, while its duration -depending on the case-, lasts 10 to 20 minutes. The patient lies in the gynecological chair and the gynecologist examines the cervix with a colposcope. Using magnification and special fluids, it locates areas that may have abnormal cells. With the help of a special diathermy bracket or laser, it removes the part of the cervix that contains the abnormal cells. The pieces of tissue that are removed with the operation are examined by a specialist doctor (pathologist) under the microscope, while the results of the histological examination are available in 1-2 weeks.
Before surgery
The gynecologist will ask you to have some blood tests done before the operation and will give you a consent form for the operation you are going to have. And also take care of the following in advance:
On an empty stomach, without drinking or eating anything, for at least 6 hours before. This includes water, candy or chewing gum. Brush your teeth without swallowing water
Take a bath before the operation and wash thoroughly in the sensitive area.
Have 1-2 sanitary napkins in your bag
Do not have makeup, painted nails and do not wear jewelry and contact lenses
If you wear a spiral, remove it and place it in your next period
Tell your doctor and medical staff before surgery about any allergies you may have or if you have had an allergic reaction in the past, as well as if you suffer from asthma or urticaria. If you are taking inhaled medicines do not forget to take them with you.
Caution: The operation can not be done if you are pregnant. If in doubt, you may need to get a pregnancy test done first. The cone resection procedure is usually performed immediately after your period (unless of course you are menopausal), so do not neglect to take the appropriate precautions for a possible pregnancy, until the day of the operation.
After surgery
Recovery after surgery is short and you can return home within 1-2 hours. During this time you will have time to recover and the doctor will notice if bleeding or other problems occur. You may feel dizzy in the next few hours and may have a tendency to vomit, so you should not drive. It is better to be accompanied by a friend or relative, who is good to be with you for the next 12 hours. If you feel severe pain, do not hesitate to take the painkillers that your doctor will prescribe. You can drink water about an hour after the operation and a little later, you can eat something light in a small amount. The return to mild daily activities can be done from the very next day.
What you should know
The removed cervical spot takes about 4-6 weeks to heal. In most cases there is slight bleeding from the vagina for up to 15 days. Dark blood and mucus in a smaller amount than normal is normal, but if the bleeding increases you may need to limit your activities and get more rest. And more:
Use sanitary pads, not tampons, to reduce the risk of inflammation
although you can return to work in 2-3 days, avoid lifting heavy objects and standing for more than half an hour
it is normal to feel physically exhausted even a week later
do not have sex until the end of the next period or for a month if you are menopausal
Avoid swimming and bathing in the bathtub for as long as you have vaginal bleeding
abstain from sports and walking for more than 20 minutes a month
Unless there is a serious reason, do not plan a trip for the first two weeks after surgery
The next period after surgery – if you are not menopausal – is usually more intense and sometimes more painful than you are used to. Any disturbances in the period are also expected, but will be restored in the next cycle
Avoid taking aspirin and bleeding medications by simply choosing painkillers such as Depon, Panadol, Nurofen or Algofren. If the pain is more severe you can take stronger painkillers such as Mesulid or Xefo-rapid in the prescribed dosages.
Complete all treatment with the antibiotic recommended by your doctor
When to contact your doctor:
if the bleeding (especially the appearance of bright red blood) increases instead of decreasing.
you have even minor bleeding, for more than 2 weeks
vaginal secretions become foul-smelling
you have a fever -over 37.5- and especially if it is accompanied by chills
you have persistent pain in the lower abdomen which is getting worse
your period does not come after 6 weeks (and you are not menopausal)
