Cervical conization is done to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. The cervix is located at the top of the vagina and is the entryway into the uterus (womb).
Reasons for Procedure
A cervical conization is used to diagnose and to treat cervical cancer or precancerous changes in the cervix. The procedure takes place after a woman has had abnormal Pap smears. Pap smears are screening tests to detect abnormal, pre-cancerous, and cancerous cells in the cervix.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a cervical conization, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
- Premature delivery with future pregnancies
- Scarring of the cervix
Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:
- Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to the procedure.
You will be given some type of anesthesia. These options include:
Description of the Procedure
A speculum will be inserted into the vagina, similar to a Pap smear. It will hold your vagina open and allow instruments to pass easier. A knife, laser, or heated loop will be used to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. If there are abnormal cells, they will also be removed. Self-absorbable sutures may be placed in the cervix to control bleeding.
The tissue will be sent to a lab to test for cancer. The test results will be available within a week.
How Long Will It Take?
The procedure will take less than an hour.
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia will prevent pain during this procedure. After the procedure, you may have some discomfort. You can take pain relievers to help manage any discomfort.
You will rest in a recovery area until the anesthesia wears off. When you are awake and aware, you will be able to go home.
During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection such as:
- Washing their hands
- Wearing gloves or masks
There are also steps you can take to reduce your chances of infection such as:
- Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and healthcare providers to do the same
- Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- You may have some bleeding or discharge from your vagina for several days postsurgery. A sanitary napkin or pad may be worn. Tampons should not be used for a month or more after the surgery.
- Sexual intercourse is discouraged for 4-6 weeks.
- Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
A postoperative exam takes place at 6 weeks.
Call Your Doctor
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Signs of infection, including fever, chills, or foul-smelling discharge from vagina
- Heavy vaginal bleeding (This may not occur until about 1 week after the operation, when the healing scar is shed from the cervix.)
- Abdominal or pelvic pain that worsens
In case of an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.
- Reviewer: Andrea Chisholm, MD
- Review Date: 09/2015 -
- Update Date: 09/11/2014 -