Cervical Biopsy - a procedure in which a sample is extracted cervical tissue for further testing for the presence of various abnormalities, precancerous lesions or cervical cancer. Cervix - the lower it is, the narrow part of the uterus located between the bladder and the rectum. It is a kind of a canal connecting the uterus and vagina.

Types of cervical biopsies

There are several types of cervical biopsies. During certain procedures experts not only take a tissue sample for analysis, but entirely removed portions of tissue to which the abnormalities were detected.

Biopsy - a surgical procedure that is performed for taking a small piece of cervical tissue. A sample taken from one or several areas of the cervix.

Cervical conization - a procedure in which by means of a laser scalpel and cervical conical piece of tissue is removed for analysis.

Endocervical curettage - a kind of biopsy, in which using a curette to scrape the endocervical mucus.

The amount of tissue removed for subsequent examination under a microscope depends on the type of cervical biopsies.

• Simple cervical biopsy (needle biopsy) involves removing a small section of tissue from the surface of the cervix.
• Endocervical biopsy (endocervical curettage) involves sampling of tissue samples from the cervix through scraping with a sharp instrument.
• Buttonhole electrosurgical excision of tissue biopsy involves using a special device - a thin wire loop, through which passed a weak electric current.
• The wedge biopsy (conization) - the most extensive form of a biopsy of the cervix, involves the removal of a wedge-shaped section of tissue from the cervix.

Just before a biopsy of the cervix in most cases colposcopy Colposcopy - how to prepare it properly?   - Examination of the vulva, vagina and cervix with a special magnifying device - a colposcope. If you notice any abnormality during colposcopy performed a biopsy of the cervix and subsequent research 'tion of samples of tissue from the cervix under a microscope. A biopsy of the cervix is ​​performed for a thorough study of anomalous formations and exclusion or confirmation of the presence of malignant (cancerous) cells in the tissues of the cervix.

When and why should I do?

A biopsy of the cervix is ​​usually carried out after the discovery of any deviations in standard gynecological examination Gynecological examination: an important component of women's health   or after the analysis of the Pap smear. Positive analysis of human papillomavirus and some diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, can also be the reason for the biopsy of the cervix. Some species of papillomaviruses can cause cervical cancer and other less common types of genital cancers.

Possible complications

Like any other surgical procedure, a biopsy of the cervix associated with the risk of some complications, the most common of which are bleeding and infection. In addition, a biopsy of the cervix may increase the likelihood of infertility or miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies, since after the procedure, the cervix may be left scars and other damage.

To avoid further complications, patients who are allergic to any medications, iodine, or latex, is necessary before the procedure, inform your doctor. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant.

If possible, a biopsy should be performed a week after menstruation. Menstruation, acute pelvic inflammatory disease and acute inflammation of the cervix significantly increase the risk of complications of biopsy.

Preparing for a biopsy

As a rule, special preparation for the biopsy procedure is not required. If a biopsy will be performed under general anesthesia (this is done only in exceptional cases), patients are asked to not eat, drink or smoke for several hours before the procedure.

Immediately after the procedure, the doctor may suggest mild pain reliever to take. Due to the local anesthetic sedation after the biopsy is not recommended to get behind the wheel.

The duration of the recovery period, dependent on the type of anesthetic used and biopsy. Immediately after the biopsy of the cervix in women is easy bleeding, cramping abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms . Within a few days after the treatment of vaginal discharge may be darker than usual. These are normal consequences of a biopsy, which should take place in a few days.

After the biopsy, you can eat and play sports as you used to, unless the doctor has not given you other instructions. If within a few days after the biopsy you have symptoms such as heavy bleeding, vaginal discharge with a strong unpleasant smell, fever and / or chills and severe pain in the lower abdomen, it is necessary to contact a doctor.

A biopsy of the cervix - a common and fairly simple procedure, accompanied by a minimal sense of discomfort. The risk of microtrauma and other complications after biopsy of the cervix is ​​minimal - some types of biopsies are allowed, even for pregnant women, as the risk of disruption of pregnancy caused by a biopsy of the cervix is ​​minimal.

Curettage can be carried out for different purposes. Therefore, talking about diagnostic, therapeutic curettage, as well as instrumental abortion. To say that this operation is absolutely safe, you can not, just like any other surgery, it can give early and late complications.

Diagnostic curettage

Diagnostic curettage is used quite often. Its aim - the removal of the surface layer of the endometrium (the mucous membrane of the uterus) and histological studies of tissue removed. Most often performed separate diagnostic curettage (WFD), in which the first scrape the cervical canal, and then the uterus. WFD shows:

• in the menstrual cycle, accompanied by cyclic and acyclic (not related to the cycle) bleeding, painful menstruation;
• infertility;
• when a bleeding or spotting after menopause;
• for suspected cancer of the uterus.

The operation can be performed under local (lidocaine) or general (usually intravenous) anesthesia. But most local anesthesia combined with the introduction of calming drugs (tranquilizers). For half an hour before surgery to relax the smooth muscles of the cervix is ​​introduced antispasmodics (eg, no-silos).

After anesthesia with special extenders carried expansion of the cervical canal, then separate scraping Scraping - heavy and unsafe procedure   canal and endometrial cavity of the uterus curette. Material for histologic examination (mucosa cervical canal and the uterus) is placed in individual containers.

Today, most curettage is done using a hysteroscope - a special optical equipment, with which all actions can be seen on the screen.

Medical curettage

Medical scraping of the uterus may be performed to remove polyps in the uterus, the whole of the mucous membrane of the uterus of endometrial hyperplasia Hyperplasia endometrial cancer - requires timely detection and treatment . Sometimes scraping carried out as a preparatory phase of the operation remove fibroids.

Curettage for bleeding as a treatment - after removal of the surface layer of endometrial bleeding stops. Usually prescribed when acyclic bleeding. In addition, medical scraping helps stop bleeding after a miscarriage.

Curettage after childbirth is sometimes carried out in suspected what was in the womb or endometrial piece of the placenta. This is very dangerous because it can cause bleeding or to become an excellent breeding ground for infection.

Since in most cases the resulting material is given in the curettage histological examination, surgery is the medical-diagnostic.

Tool abortion

Of course, this is not the best method of abortion, as injured wall of the uterus. Tool abortion conducted on line 12 weeks, usually under anesthesia. Technique of the meeting is no different from diagnostic curettage.

Bleeding after abortion tool lasts about a week and looks like a regular period, in the early days abundant.

Consequences of scraping the uterus

As a rule, scraping does not give any effect. However, they are. The early effects (complications) include bleeding and infection, are in hospital are well treated. Very rare complication is a perforation of the uterus with a sharp instrument, but it is not fatal complication.

By late complications may include trauma basal layer of the endometrium, which then creates a problem with the introduction of a fertilized egg in the uterine wall. In addition, as a result of previous infection in the uterus can develop adhesions that would impede the proper development of the pregnancy.

Treatment after curettage of the uterus

Special treatment after curettage is required. Treatment subject to complications. A woman is enough for 2-3 weeks to observe the following rules:

• do not lift weights, and do not engage in heavy physical labor;
• not to use vaginal tampons How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions   - This is very dangerous because it can lead to infection;
• do douching;
• not to conduct any heat treatments, can only take a warm shower;
• eliminate sex.
• Do not take medications that could reduce the rolling properties of the blood (eg, aspirin).

Curettage - this is not the procedure and operation, and as with any surgery, it can give complications.

Galina Romanenko