Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure

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Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a gynecologic procedure to remove precancerous cells (dysplasia) from the cervix. To prevent the development of cervical cancer, abnormal cells in the cervix (mouth of the uterus) need to be completely removed when found on screening and follow-up tests. LEEP may be employed when a Pap test was positive for cancerous cells and the patient goes to the doctor for examination and if she is experiencing symptoms of cervical cancer. The doctor uses a special magnifying instrument to find abnormal cells and may use LEEP to take a small sample of tissue in what is called a cone biopsy or conization. LEEP employs heat from a high-energy electrical arc as a cutting tool to remove the targeted cells for laboratory examination. Operative times vary depending on the findings at the time of the procedure but average from 15 to 30 minutes, using local anesthesia with IV sedation in an outpatient setting such as a doctor’s office.

UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology offers comprehensive women’s health care in a private, personal environment, with physicians and nurses who are dedicated to delivering excellent care. Because our physicians are nationally recognized specialists in their fields, you can rest assured that you are receiving the most advanced care available. UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology is consistently ranked among the best programs of its kind in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

As part of the UAB Division of Women’s Reproductive Healthcare, UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology’s services range from complete obstetric care to the medical and surgical treatment of complicated gynecological concerns. We work closely with the UAB Medicine Interventional Radiology team to diagnose and treat your condition, using the latest and most accurate technology and imaging methods, including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT scans. Because UAB Medicine is an academic health center, patients may be offered participation in clinical research trials, which can give you access to new techniques and treatments that are not available elsewhere in the area. Our physicians are here for you at all times, from your first routine gynecological exam, to delivering your baby, to guiding you through menopause. When you establish a relationship with our doctors, you can rely upon that relationship throughout your lifetime.