What is Cervical Conization?

Cervical conization is done to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. The cervix is located at the back of the vagina and is the entry way into the uterus (womb).

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.

Cervix With Precancerous Growth © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Possible Complications

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:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Premature delivery with future pregnancies
• Scarring of the cervix

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever, chills, or smelly discharge from vagina
• Heavy vaginal bleeding (This may not occur until about one 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 911.