Conservative treatment of cervical dysplasia linked to rise in PPROM risk. (Seen in Subsequent Pregnancy).

WASHINGTON Conservative treatment of cervical dysplasia in women of reproductive age is associated with a 2.7fold increase in the risk of preterm premature rupture of the membranes in a later pregnancy, Lynn Sadler, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation.

The study, presented in poster form, is the first to show an association between preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and even one laser conization or large loop excision. The results point up the importance of careful consideration before treating cervical dysplasia in women who may later conceive, said Dr. Sadler of the University of Auckland (New Zealand).

Dr. Sadler and her colleague, Audrey Saftlas, Ph.D., of the University of Iowa, Iowa City, performed a cohort study of 930 women who had visited a New Zealand colposcopy clinic between 1988 and 2000.

Of the group, 652 women received laser ablation, laser conization, or large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ); 427 women received no treatment. All of the women later became pregnant; none were pregnant when they visited the colposcopy clinic.

Of the entire cohort, 67 women later experienced PPROM leading to delivery; 15 of those women were untreated, 22 had LLETZ, 15 had laser conization, and 10 had laser ablation.

After adjustment for age, smoking ...