Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, also known as LEEP is a common procedure that allows doctors to check and assess for abnormal or precancerous cells on the cervix. Primarily, it is used to detect high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN-I, CIN-II, CIN-III) and potential cancer of the cervix. LEEP is only recommended after patient has undergone PAP smear (collection of cervical cells) and colposcopy (visual examination of the cervix).
Although it is a common procedure to diagnose and confirm HPV infections and cervical cancer, however it can lead to potential complications such as risk of recurrent miscarriage and preterm births in subsequent pregnancies.
How is LEEP conducted?
During the LEEP procedure, your doctor will use a thin wired metal loop attached to a speculum that is inserted via the birthing canal into the cervical entrance. After identifying the transformation zone of the cervix, the loop will be electrically charged to remove a thin layer of the surface cervical tissues, this tissue is then sent for pathological analysis, for the presence of abnormal cells. Sometimes a much thicker layer of cervical tissue or multiple layers are removed to test for cells higher up the cervical neck. A much narrower loop can be used to obtain deeper tissue within the cervical neck.
During this procedure, patient will be administered with a local anesthesia and the procedure does not and should not cause any discomfort. Patient will be awake throughout the procedure, which lasts not more than 15mins.
How does LEEP increase risk of miscarriage?
Beside being associated with potential infection and internal bleeding within the cervix, women who have undergone LEEP have a significantly increased risk of a late miscarriage and recurrent late miscarriage. The risk also increases much more with multiple LEEP procedures, and the amount of cervical issue removed.
This procedure significantly weakens the cervix, particularly the cervical inner and outer orifice. Sometimes the cervical tissues removed do not recover fully or not replenish at all, leading to a compromised cervical strength and integrity, that has almost no symptoms and leads to a high risk of premature dilation during a pregnancy, during the 2nd or 3rd trimester. Furthermore, it can also cause a decrease in cervical length if too much tissue is removed. This can lead to either a preterm birth or a late pregnancy loss. In other words, LEEP can cause cervical insufficiency and acquired short cervix.
Recommended management at Antai Hospital
Short cervix: Management of an acquired short cervix achieved by effectively securing 2 Antai Cervical rings: one on the inner orifice while the other on the outer orifice, using a minimally invasive 3D-Laparoscopy. This can lengthen the cervix to an optimal length of 3.5cm to 4.5cm which is very secure during late pregnancy. This surgery is very similar to a conventional cervical cerclage, however with Antai’s in-house specialty, there is not stitching involved and does not complications such as infections or hemorrhage.
Cervical Insufficiency/ Incompetent Cervix: Similarly, to the management of short cervix, one singular Antai cervical ring will be placed in the cervical neck that, to enhance cervical strength. Surgery is minimally invasive and relatively straightforward, with no risk of bleeding, unlike a conventional cerclage.
Antai hospital also offers effective and proven treatments for HPV infections and cervical pre-cancerous tissues, with our in-house proprietary topical medication (安太液) that can remove HPV-infected cells and stops the progression of cervical neoplasia. Talk to us today for more information and arrange an online consultation with us.
Antai Hospital’s Commitment
Antai Hospital’s full refund policy for the miscarriage prevention treatments we provide should already be the best guarantee for a healthy pregnancy. Patients should rest assured, can and should go about their everyday life, focusing their diet on vegetables, beans, celery, and other fiber-rich foods. Besides that, an active lifestyle of yoga and swimming should also be incorporated to help relieve stress and increase blood circulation, which is beneficial for the fetus’s development and the mother’s health. With our assurance, a healthy lifestyle, and peace of mind, you can go through a healthy pregnancy with no complications.
Recurrent miscarriages are no doubt a heavy blow to the patient’s physical and mental health. All we can do is to help ease the burden and decrease your trauma, to slowly help you overcome the anxiety with the love and care that we provide at Antai Hospital.
Trust in Antai Hospital and trust in yourself, your pregnancy is our priority.