Objective: : The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of cervical conization on subsequent pregnancy and delivery outcomes.
Materials and methods: : A retrospective case-control study was performed in patients who underwent conization from 2000 to 2005 and had a subsequent delivery. Two case controls were matched for each case studied. The obstetric outcomes of the 2 groups were compared. A subsequent analysis comparing the 2 excisional techniques used was performed.
Results: : The study population group included 87 women (29 cases and 58 controls). Overall, the mean gestation age at delivery (38 vs 39 wk, p = .003), prevalence of preterm birth (20.7% vs 5.2%, p = .025), mean birth weight (3,035 vs 3279 g, p = .018), and low birth weight (20.7% vs 1.7%, p = .02) were statistically different among the cases and controls.In the study group (n = 29), large loop excision of the transformation zone was used in 62% (n = 18) and laser was used in 38% (n = 11) of the cases. There was no significant difference in the medium depth of the excised tissue, the prevalence of preterm birth, low birth weight, and the cesarean delivery rate between the 2 techniques.
Conclusions: : Despite the small number of cases, this study indicates that excision of the transformation zone is associated with an increased risk of overall preterm delivery and low-birth weight infants in subsequent pregnancies. No significant difference was found between the 2 cervical excision procedures.