TREATMENT OF VAGINAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA WITH THE CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 62  (1) , 90-93
Abstract
The CO2 laser was used to treat vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia in 24 patients. Initially, partial or complete ablation of vaginal epithelium was performed, the extent of the procedure depending on the distribution of disease. Later in the series complete ablation was performed routinely because of recurrences among patients treated with only partial ablation. Fifteen patients had severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia II). Of the 24 patients, 20 had satisfactory removal of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia after a single operation. Four patients with vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia III who underwent partial vaginal epithelial ablation had persistence of abnormal tissue detected within 6 mo. of treatment. These patients were retreated successfully with the laser. Average length of hospitalization for vaginal epithelial ablation with the CO2 laser was 2 days. Excellent postoperative healing occurred; all patients resumed their pretreatment sexual pattern. Follow-up ranges from 6-27 mo., with an average follow-up of 15 mo. The CO2 laser can be used cost-effectively to remove vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.