The outcome of pregnancy after CO2 laser conisation of the cervix

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laser conisation of the cervix on the outcome of subsequent pregnancy. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics odds ratio 9.0, 95% CI 3.7-21.7). A logistic regression analysis of a set of possible confounding factors revealed no significant risk factors in addition to conisation for the occurrence of preterm delivery. No correlation was found between the height of the cone and the occurrence of preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Conisation with microsurgical laser technique increases the risk of preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancies. Laser conisation in young women should be restricted to those with high grade CIN or a lesion extending into the endocervical canal.