Cervical conization

Cervical conization refers to an excision of a cone-shaped portion of tissue from the mucous membrane of the cervix. Conization is used for diagnostic purposes as part of a biopsy and for therapeutic purposes to remove pre-cancerous cells (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) or early stage cervical cancer.^[1] Ablative treatments are also available to treat abnormal cervical cells. The decision to perform a cervical conization procedure is made with consideration of a patient's pap smear, colposcopy, and HPV test results. ACOG recommends that decisions regarding excision should be based on risk of CIN3+.^[2] A conization can be performed in the office or in the operating room, depending on the type of conization performed. This procedure carries few risks, with the most common one being bleeding after the procedure.^[1][3]