Comparison of long-term results of obliterative colpocleisis and reconstructive vaginal surgery including sacrospinous ligament fixation in patients with total genital prolapse.

Background: Treatment of total genital prolapse in elderly patients is still controversial in terms of postoperative objective and subjective results. Aim: The present study aimed to compare the long-term objective and subjective cure rates of sacrospinous ligament fixation and Le Fort operation for treatment of total genital prolapse. Patients and Methods: Patients over the age of 60 with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse that presented to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of *** University. The study sample consisted of 17 patients that underwent Le Fort operation and 29 patients that underwent sacrospinous ligament fixation. Data on duration of operation, intraoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and differences between preoperative and postoperative estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, and relapse in the long term were obtained. Questionnaires exploring quality of life, incontinence, and pelvic floor disorders were applied to the patients. Results: As subjective cure rates, postoperative patient satisfaction (P = 0.001), regret rate (P = 0.038) and recommendation rate (P = 0.044), as well as postoperative questionnaire results, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire and SF36 were found to be significantly better in the Le Fort group (respectively P = 0.039 and 0.042). As objective cure rates, there was no difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative cystocele, rectocele, and cystorectocele (P = 0.955) and postoperative recurrence of prolapse beyond the hymen (P: 0.893). Duration of operation and duration of hospital stay were found to be significantly shorter in the Le Fort group (respectively P = 0.032 and 0.012). Conclusion: Le Fort operation could be the intervention of choice in sexually inactive elderly patients with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse.

Clinical experience in pregnancies complicated by adnexal torsion.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present data on clinical and operational management and postoperative outcomes of pregnancies complicated by adnexal torsion (AT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four pregnant women who presented to the present clinic between January 2007 to December 2013 and were intraoperatively diagnosed with AT were included in this study. Demographic data such as age and data on obstetric history, gestational week, current trimester, previous gynecologic and non-gynecologic operations, type of surgery that was performed, average size, location and number of adnexal masses, surgical techniques that were employed, postoperative complications, and pathology results were investigated and noted. RESULTS: In this study, 132 patients were operated due to AT, and the rate of pregnant women with AT was 18.2% (24/132). The mean age of the patients was 29.25 ± 6.27 years, and the mean gestational week was 18.25 ± 7. Eight patients were in their first trimester (33.3%) whereas 13 were in their second trimester (54.2%), and three were in their third trimester (12.5%) when they presented to the hospital. The mean AT size was 95.3 ± 53.9 mm, as measured by ultrasonography. All the patients were operated by laparotomy. Regarding the types of abdominal incision, 13 patients (54.2%) had a Pfannenstiel incision, three patients (12.5%) had an infra-umbilical median incision, and eight patients (33.3%) had a pararectal incision. Duration of operation was significantly shorter in patients with pararectal incisions (p < 0.01) compared to those with Pfannenstiel and infra-umbilical median incisions. Regarding the types of treatment, ten patients (41.7%) underwent unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO), eight patients (33.3%) underwent adnexal detorsion+cystectomy, and six patients (25%) underwent adnexal detorsion only. CONCLUSION: AT is a gynecologic emergency that requires early diagnosis and treatment, as it is capable of complicating the pregnancy. Determination of the current gestational week prior to the surgical intervention will assist and guide the surgeon in identifying the suitable type of surgery for a particular patient. Pararectal incision should be the incision of choice for a shorter duration of operation, which is crucial in pregnant women for reduced exposure to anesthesia.

Serum levels of androgens and prostate-specific antigen in endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of serum androgens and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with Stage III/IV (advanced stage) endometriosis were compared to controls with respect to basal serum levels of total testosterone (T), free testosterone (fT), androstenedion (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), and PSA in the early follicular phase of menstrual cycle for this prospective case control study. RESULTS: Level of T, fT, A, DHEA, and DHEA-S were higher in patients with endometriosis when compared to control subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean PSA level was 0.0074 +/- 0.0120 ng/ml in patients with endometriosis and 0.0059 +/- 0.0056 ng/ml in control group and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Serum basal androgens and PSA levels are higher in endometriosis group with respect to control but the differences are not statistically significant.

Expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the endometrium of patients with repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization.

AIM: To compare the immunohistochemical expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients with normal fertile controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of primary infertile patients with RIF and normal fertile controls between January 2011 and February 2013. Endometrial samples received at the luteal phase were exposed to immunohistochemical staining for EMMPRIN antibodies. EMMPRIN expression of endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated. The main outcome measure was defined as immunohistochemical score with regard to the severity and extent of staining. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 26 primary infertile patients, whereas the control group consisted of 40 normal fertile controls. The fertile group was found to have stronger expression of EMMPRIN than the study group when endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated with regards to the severity of staining (p < 0.001), the extent of staining (p < 0.001) and total staining score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing low expression of EMMPRIN in the endometrial cells of the patients with RIF compared with fertile healthy controls. We suggest that reduced EMMPRIN expression in the human endometrium may lead to poor endometrial receptivity.

Copper, ceruloplasmin and oxidative stress in patients with advanced-stage endometriosis.

AIM: To compare patients with advanced stage endometriosis with control patients without endometriosis with respect to serum Copper (Cu) and Ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels and oxidative stress markers in order to evaluate the importance of these parameters in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 72 women who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy for evaluation of infertility, pelvic pain, pelvic mass, tubal ligation or endometriosis were enrolled for this prospective clinical study. Patients were divided into two groups by visual diagnosis at surgery and histological confirmation of endometriosis: control patients (n=41) without endometriosis and study group (n=31) with stage III/IV (advanced stage) endometriosis. Serum Cu, Cp, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), malondialdehyde (MDA), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were compared between the two groups. Correlations between Cu, Cp and oxidative stress markers were determined. RESULTS: Serum TOS, OSI, Cu, Cp, TG, TC, LDL were significantly higher, whereas TAS, PON-1 activity and HDL were significantly lower, in women with advanced-stage endometriosis than in control groups. There was no difference in serum MDA activities between the two groups. Positive correlations were found between Cu and TOS, Cu and OSI, Cu and Cp, while a negative correlation was found between Cu and PON-1 in the advanced-stage endometriosis group. Positive correlations were found between Cp and TOS, and Cp and OSI in the advanced-stage endometriosis group. CONCLUSIONS: Cu and Cp appear to be associated with the etiopathogenesis of and oxidative stress in endometriosis.

Fibroblast growth factor-1 expression in the endometrium of patients with repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND: An examination of the alterations in Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (FGF-1) expression in a group of repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients, when compared to fertile patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study group consisted of 24 patients with repeated implantation failure and 29 fertile control patients. Endometrial samples received at the luteal phase were exposed to immunohistochemical staining for the fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) with antibodies. RESULTS: In the study group all patients have primary infertility (n = 24), and the average duration of infertility was 3.9 ± 1.3 years. The average recurrent IVF failure was 2.6 ± 0.6 attemps. There were no significant differences in the histological data according to the Noyes classification (p = 0.226) and age (p = 0.231) between the patients in the study and control groups (n=29). The control group was found to have more severe expression of FGF-1 (< 0.001) than the study group when endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells of the control and study group were evaluated and it was found that the control group displayed a stronger expression of the FGF-1 (< 0.001). The expression of FGF-1 in the IVF implantation failure group is less than in the fertile group, which suggests that growth factors such as FGF-1 are important maternal factors effecting implantation.

Serum levels of neopterin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Interleukin-6 in preeclampsia: relationship with disease severity.

AIM: There are many studies evaluating the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. However, little is known about the relationship between the severity of inflammation and the severity of preeclampsia due to insufficient of studies reporting this matter. To investigate the maternal serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF-alpha and Neopterin in patients with mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia and HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome in preeclampsia and determine their association with the severity of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients, hospitalized with the diagnosis of preeclampsia between October 2011 and March 2012, were included in the study. The patients with preeclampsia were divided into three groups as mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. The control group was comprised of normotensive and uncomplicated pregnant women. The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and Neopterin (NEO) were determined, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Spearman's rank correlation tests were used for the correlations between the serum levels of inflammatory markers and the severity of preeclampsia. RESULTS: There was no observed significant difference among mean serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels of four groups (p > 0.05). The median serum concentration of NEO in subjects with mild preeclampsia of 14.1 nmol/L and severe preeclampsia of 14.8 nmol/L was significantly higher than that of 10.3 nmol/L in normotensive controls (p = 0.013; p = 0.000 respectively). In addition, the median serum concentration of NEO was detected to be highest in subjects with HELLP syndrome. The serum levels of NEO was well correlated with the severity of preeclampsia (r = 0.533, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels of NEO, an important marker of cellular immunity, associated with severity of disease in patients with preeclampsia.

Tubo-ovarian abscess presenting as an ovarian tumor in a virginal adolescent: a case report.

Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA), a serious complication of pelvic inflammatory disease, unites the fallopian tube and ovary and, is rarely observed in sexually inactive adolescent girls. A pelvic mass, supposedly originating from the ovary, was detected in a 13-year-old sexually inactive girl suffering from abdominal pain and menstrual disorder. Pelvic ultrasonography pointed out a semisolid, hyperechogenic mass of 57x73 mm in the left adnexal area. Laparotomy revealed an unilateral TOA adhering to the bowel and omentum. Abscess drainage and adhesiolysis were performed and postoperative antibiotherapy was administered. TOA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of females with abdominal pain and adnexal mass whether sexual activity is present or not.

Hirsutism score and the severity of hyperandrogenism associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in the southeastern region of Turkey.

This study investigated the severity of hirsutism and its correlation with serum total testosterone (tT) levels in 87 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 85 healthy control subjects from the south-eastern region of Turkey. A wide range of variability exists in both hirsutism and modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scores. Similar mFG scores and serum tT levels were found compared with previous studies of general populations, but lower scores than those previously reported from Turkey. The incidence of hirsutism was lower in hyperandrogenic PCOS patients compared with non-hyperandrogenic PCOS patients. There was no correlation between serum tT levels and the rate of hirsutism in patients with PCOS. Heritability, testosterone receptor sensitivity, 5α reductase activity or environmental/socioeconomic factors may play a role in the development of clinical hirsutism. Larger scale studies are needed to clarify which other factors may be responsible and to confirm these results.

Morphologic and functional vascular alterations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate morphologic and functional alterations of common carotid arteries (CCA) and femoral arteries and the anteroposterior diameter of the abdominal aorta in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty consecutive females with the complaint of oligoamenorrhea, infertility or hirsutismus, diagnosed with PCOS and 50 healthy females admitted to the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ergani State Hospital between January 2010 and January 2011 were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean BMI of 50 patients with PCOS was higher than control subjects (CS) (25.89 +/- 3.3 vs 22.52 +/- 2.7 kg/m2, p < 0.0001). The mean arterial blood pressure was 88.93 +/- 6.4 mmHg in the patient group and was it 85.73 +/- 7.6 mmHg in CS (p = 0.02). The mean plasma glucose level (74.04 +/- 6.7 vs 70.5 +/- 6.4 mg/dl), total cholesterol level (167.88 +/- 30.1 vs 153.38 +/- 27.8 mg/dl), low density lipoprotein level (101.28 +/- 27.0 vs 79.56 +/- 25.5 mg/dl) and triglyceride level (121.22 +/- 49.2 vs 102.54 +/- 36.6 mg/dl) were higher; also the mean high density lipoprotein level (44.56 +/- 8.1 vs 50.90 +/- 12.3 mg/dl) was lower in patients with PCOS than CS (p = 0.009, p = 0.014, p < 0.0001, p = 0.034 and p = 0.003, respectively). CCA-IMT (0.63 +/- 0.2 vs 0.52 +/- 0.1 mm), and CCA-PI (1.44 +/- 0.3 vs 1.28 +/- 0.22) were higher in patients with PCOS (p = 0.018 andp = 0.005, respectively). Femoral-IMT (0.62 +/- 0.6 vs 0.41 +/- 0.1 mm) and anteroposterior diameter of the infrarenal aorta (12.34 +/- 1.5 vs 11.4 +/- 1.0 mm) were higher in patients with PCOS (p = 0.024 and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that IMT and PI of CCA, and anteroposterior diameter of the infrarenal abdominal aorta and femoral-IMT were higher in patients with PCOS. These results are probably related with increased androgens, their effects on insulin resistance and lipid profile, increased BMI and blood pressure. Detection of these functional and/or structural abnormalities are important in predicting prognosis. Larger scale prospective studies are needed to determine the effects of PCOS on the mortality and morbidity, and to clarify the relation between the duration of the disease and development of these alterations.

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: analysis of 32 cases.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, some clinicopathologic characteristics and the outcome of patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT) were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical charts and pathologic reports of 32 patients with MOGCT treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty of Dicle University, Turkey from 1983 to 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (40.6%) had dysgerminoma, nine (28.1%) had immature teratoma (four grade 1, three grade 2, and two grade 3), eight (25%) had endodermal sinus tumor, and two (6.3%) patients had mixed germ cell tumors. Site of involvement was unilateral in 30 (19 on the right and 11 on the left) and bilateral in two. All patients underwent primary surgery and 26 patients combination chemotherapy. There seemed to be a relationship between pathologic findings and clinical outcome, and MOGCT histologic types may affect the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Dysgerminoma had a better prognosis than the nondysgerminomatous group (p < 0.05). This study provides additional data in confirmation of previous reports that management of MOGCT with fertility preservation is safe.

The role of enalapril in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a rabbit model.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to investigate the role of enalapril in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand female rabbits were included in the study. A total of 75 IU FSH + 75 IU LH was given daily by i.m. route for the first 7 days and additionally 2500 IU HCG was given on the last day of ovarian stimulation. Between days 0 and 9, oral enalapril tablets (2 mg/kg) were given twice daily to 10 rabbits (group 1). The remaining 10 rabbits did not receive enalapril (group 2). Laparatomy was performed on all rabbits at day 9. The amount of peritoneal fluid and the weight of the ovaries were recorded during laparotomy. Serum renin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), oestradiol, progesterone, prolactin and aldosterone concentrations were assayed at day 0 and again at day 9 for all rabbits. RESULTS: Serum renin and IL-6 concentrations at day 9 increased significantly compared with basal values in both groups (P < 0.05). Renin was correlated with IL-6 at day 9 in both groups (P < 0.05). The amount of peritoneal fluid and the increase in body weight observed at day 9 were not significantly different between groups 1 and 2. Administration of enalapril did not prevent the formation of ascites in group 1 despite the low serum aldosterone concentrations. In group 1 the weight of ovaries was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Renin-angiotensin system and IL-6 may play a role in the aetiopathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Administration of enalapril did not seem to have any beneficial effect in reducing the severity of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Survival and reproductive function after treatment of immature ovarian teratoma.

We conducted a clinical and pathologic review of nine patients with immature ovarian teratoma. The histologic grade of the tumor seemed to be a reliable indicator of prognosis. Low stage and low grade immature ovarian teratomas have an excellent prognosis. Platinum-based chemotherapy has been confirmed to be effective in the management of patients with ovarian germ cell tumors. Low grade pure ovarian immature teratoma is a potentially curable disease and a fertility-sparing surgical approach is possible.

Effects of methylene blue, indigo carmine solution and autologous erythrocyte suspension on formation of adhesions after injection into rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether autologous erythrocyte suspension can be used as a dye for evaluation of tubal patency and whether it has any advantages over methylene blue or indigo carmine solutions. Reproductively healthy female nulliparous Wistar Albino rats (n = 30), aged 6 months, mass 165-195 g, were assigned randomly to three groups. Rats received a 1 ml i.p. injection of 5% (w/v) methylene blue solution (methylene blue group: n = 10), 5% (w/v) indigo carmine solution (indigo carmine group: n = 10) or 5% (v/v) fresh autologous erythrocyte suspension (autologous erythrocyte group: n = 10). At 4 weeks after injection, a small sterile opening was made in the peritoneal cavity of each rat. The cavity was rinsed once with TCM-199 to collect macrophages. The rinsed peritoneal contents were cultured overnight to evaluate macrophage activation. The peritoneal opening was expanded for evaluation of adhesion formation. Only one rat from the autologous erythrocyte group had intra-peritoneal adhesions (score 2), whereas all rats in the methylene blue group (score 1: n = 1; score 2: n = 4; score 3: n = 4; and score 4: n = 1) and seven rats in the indigo carmine group (score 1: n = 1; score 2: n = 2; score 3: n = 3; and score 4: n = 1) had intra-abdominal adhesions. Macrophage activity was observed in the cultured peritoneal contents collected from the methylene blue and indigo carmine groups but not from the autologous erythrocyte group. Adhesion formation could be due to macrophage activation caused by methylene blue and indigo carmine solutions. These results indicate that tubal patency can be observed by laparoscopy using autologous erythrocyte suspension. The results of this study are believed to be the first to indicate that a patient's own erythrocyte suspension could be used during observation of tubal patency by laparoscopy. However, further studies are required.

Transverse uterine incision non-closure versus closure: an experimental study in dogs.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that non-closure of all layers of the uterus during low transverse cesarean section is not associated with increased intra-operative or immediate and late postoperative complication. Eleven pregnant dogs underwent cesarean section for the evaluation of non-closure and closure of all layers of the uterus on immediate or early and late postoperative complication and the effect of suture in tissue. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test for continuous variables and analysis for qualitative variables. Significance was defined as P < 0.05. The ranges of wound infection, other morbidity, and mortality were similar between the groups. The average operating time was significantly less for the non-closure group (71.00+/-7.11 min) than for the closure group (92.00+/-6.12 min; P < 0.005). Adhesion was significantly less (P < 0.001) for the non-closure group than for the closure group. The ranges of myometrial necrosis (5/5: 100% versus 0/5: 00%; P < 0.001) and fibrosis (2/5: 40% versus 0/5: 00%; P < 0.01) were significantly higher for the closure group than for the open group. It was found that non-closure of all layers of the uterus at low transverse cesarean incision had no adverse effect on immediate and late postoperative complication in dogs. Our data show that non-closure of all layers of the uterus at low transverse cesarean incision results in significantly less muscular necrosis and fibrosis than in the closure group. We suggest that non-closure and/or at least non-vigorous locking but very simple closure of all layers of the uterus at low transverse cesarean incision may be preferential in appropriate cases.

Transverse uterine incision non-closure versus closure: an experimental study in sheep.

SUBJECT: This study was designed to investigate whether the non-closure of the layers of the uterus during low transverse cesarean section would result in healing and have advantage on closure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty pregnant ewes randomly divided into two groups. Each group included 15 ewes. Each ewe was anesthetized at para-vertebral region with the injection of 20 ml Prilocine 2%. Following left transverse abdominal incision, a transverse incision was made on the uterus and lambs were delivered. In the first group, uterine incision line was left open. In the second group, uterine incision line was sutured with no. 1 Chromic catgut by Schimiden technique. In both groups, all layers of abdominal wall except skin were sutured as en-bloc with Vicryl no. 2, by continuous suture technique. Skin was sutured with no. 00 silk interrupted sutures. The ewes were slaughtered four months after cesarean section. A coworker was asked to open the abdominal cavities, and score the intra-abdominal adhesions. Tissues taken from incision line of each uterus were fixed in 10% neutral buffered-formalin and were embedded in paraffin-block. Sections were cut and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. A pathologist, who knew nothing about the study, evaluated all sections, and reported the findings. Student's t test was used for comparison of mean ewe age, gestational age, and mean operation time of the two groups. Z test was used for comparing the ratio of the two groups by means of histopathological findings. RESULTS: No cervical dilatation and delivery of the placenta were seen during the four week follow up period. The average operating time was significantly less for the non-closure group (48.07 +/- 3.83 minutes) than for the closure group (62.53 +/- 6.57 minutes; p = 0.001). The ranges of myometrial necrosis (100% versus 13.3%; p = 0.001) and endometriosis (53.3% versus 00.0%; p = 0.001) were significantly higher for closure group than for non-closure group. CONCLUSION: It was found that non-closure layers of the uterus along low transverse cesarean incision proves to have no adverse effect on immediate and late postoperative period in ewes. Our data showed that non-closure of all layers of the uterus results in significantly less muscular necrosis and endometriosis than closure group. We suggest that lower uterine incision can be left unclosed or, at least, simple closure can be preferable instead of vigorous locking technique.

A review of trophoblastic diseases at the medical school of Dicle University.

Gestational trophoblastic disease cases encountered in 88 pregnant women during a period between January 1985 and June 1992 were retrospectively studied. During the same period we had 6800 deliveries. The incidence of gestational trophoblastic diseases was 12.9 per 1000 deliveries. Of these cases 72 (81.8%) were diagnosed as hydatidiform mole and 16 (18.2%) were diagnosed as choriocarcinoma in histopathological investigations. The preferred method of treatment for cases of hydatidiform mole was termination with suction curettage and oxytocin perfusion. Trophoblastic diseases were common in women with five or more pregnancies from rural areas and our incidence was higher when compared with similar studies. Moreover, our patients had low socio-economic and poor educational status. All these factors seem to be etiologic reasons, besides multiparity.

Treatment of chronic cervicitis: the loop electrosurgical excision procedure.

The effectiveness and morbidity of excisional biopsy of cervical tissue using the electrosurgical excision procedure for the treatment of chronic cervicitis was investigated. In this study, loop diathermy was used in the treatment of one hundred patients with chronic cervicitis. Before the procedure, cervical smear and colposcopic examination were done. Then the loop diathermy was performed under local anesthesia. All the removed specimens were evaluated histopathologically. The mean operation time was 6.34 +/- 1.37 minutes. The complication of bleeding and secondary infection were 5% and 4%, respectively. All the patients had normal cervical smear (Papanicolaou class I or II). In the microscopic evaluation, thermal damage of the removed specimens were negligible. Six cases (6%) with CIN (CIN I = 4, CIN II = 2) were determined and the others (94%) were reported as chronic cervicitis in the histopathologic examinations of the removed specimens. After the operation, these cases with CIN were followed up for one year with cervical smears and colposcopic examinations. One of the six patients with CIN had recurrence and underwent cold-knife conization. This new technique is simple, quick and cheap. It can be used confidently to provide both diagnosis and treatment with minimal thermal tissue injury in cases with chronic cervicitis.