What is it and what are its advantages?

A focused laser beam is used in laser conization instead of a scalpel.

The laser beam (carbon dioxide) dissects the cervical tissue, just like the scalpel. But it has the advantage that at the same time small vessels are cauterized and the bleeding is reduced.

The beam is directed onto the tissue by a special control pad attached to the colposcope. The doctor views the surgical field through the colposcope. A significant advantage of this method is that it can be done under local anesthesia.

In which cases is it preferred?

First of all, the hospital must have the laser device available (which is very expensive). This procedure also requires training and experience of the doctor that will perform it.

With this technique, the doctor may remove with precision the part of the tissue with the lesions and modify the shape of the excision. For example, he may remove a part of the cervix that is not cone-shaped but cylindrical (this is done when the transformation zone extends high up into the cervical canal).