Carbon dioxide laser surgery for abnormal cervical cell changes

A carbon dioxide (CO2) laser beam is used to:

• Destroy (vaporize) abnormal cervical tissue that can be seen through a magnifying viewing instrument (colposcope).
• Remove abnormal tissue high in the cervical canal that cannot be seen through the colposcope. The CO2 laser can be used to do a cone biopsy (see cone biopsy for abnormal Pap test).

Laser vaporization takes 10 to 15 minutes. The abnormal tissue is destroyed or removed, leaving normal tissue intact.

How it is done

Carbon dioxide laser surgery can be done in your doctor's office, a clinic, or a hospital as an outpatient procedure (you do not have to spend the night in the hospital).

You will need to take off your clothes below the waist and drape a paper or cloth covering around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an exam table with your feet raised and supported by footrests (stirrups). Your doctor will insert an instrument with curved blades (speculum) into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls, allowing the inside of the vagina and the cervix to be examined.

The procedure is usually done with a numbing medicine injected into the cervix (cervical block). If a cervical block is used, an oral pain medicine may be used along with the local anesthetic.

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