Complications following type 3 excision by needle excision of the transformation zone: a case series report.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine short-term complications and related risk factors following needle excision of the transformation zone (NETZ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case series of 105 women with NETZ for cervical pathology between 2006-2013 in a single center. RESULTS: The overall complication rate was 22.9%. Heavy primary bleeding occurred in 12.4% of cases (<500 ml), secondary hemorrhage 7.6%, emergency hysterectomy 1.9%, and cervical stenosis 2.9%. Where excision depth was > 20 mm, this was a non-significant increase in the risk of hemorrhage, but a significant reduction in the risk of a subsequent hysterectomy (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: NETZ is associated with a number of complications and recognition of risk factors should be considered when planning type 3 excisional procedures and counseling women.