NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. – Pathologic findings from preoperative endocervical sampling were fairly consistent with the underlying pathologies identified at trachelectomy, based on a single-center, retrospective chart review presented at the AAGL Global Congress.
“Preoperative endocervical sampling can be performed safely and adequately with results consistent with final trachelectomy pathology,” said Sarah Krantz, MD, of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn. Importantly, performing preoperative sampling may identify a missed diagnosis of cancer and allows for subsequent appropriate preoperative planning, she added.
Dr. Krantz and her colleagues included 47 women who had a supracervical hysterectomy and subsequently underwent trachelectomy at Vanderbilt from April 1999 to April 2015. Indications for surgery included vaginal bleeding (24), abnormal pap smears (7), pain (16), prolapse (13), and cancer (2). If patients had a prior diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy, they were excluded from the study.
Endocervical sampling was performed in 18 of the 47 women by a gynecologist. Samples were collected by way of various methods, including Pap smear, endocervical brushings and curettage, and endometrial pipelle. The pathologic findings in endocervical samples coincided with the final surgical pathology in 9 of 10 patients with benign findings, 1 of 6 patients with dysplasia, and 2 of 2 patients with cancer.
Among the 29 women who did not undergo preoperative endocervical sampling, one was diagnosed with cervical cancer at final surgical pathology.
In the 24 women with vaginal bleeding, cervicitis was identified in 1 of 10 patients who underwent preoperative endocervical sampling and was found on final pathology in 12 of 24 patients.Given the high incidence of cervicitis in women who report vaginal bleeding, consideration should be given for medical management prior to surgical excision, Dr. Krantz said.
Dr. Krantz reported having no relevant financial disclosures.