The effect of cold-knife conization on pregnancy outcomes in patients with cervical lesions

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the pregnancy outcomes of patients with cervical lesions treated by cold-knife conization (CKC). METHODS: Clinical data of healthy pregnant women and pregnant women who underwent CKC in Dalian Women and Children’s Medical Group from March 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into a CKC group and a control group according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical methods were used to compare pregnancy and delivery outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 400 patients in CKC group and control group, with 200 patients in each. There was no significant difference in the mode of delivery, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, in-hospital perinatal management, and cervical cerclage between the CKC group and the control group (P>0.05). The rates of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, cesarean section, and neonatal admission in the CKC group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the CKC group, the incidence of premature rupture of membranes within six months postoperatively was higher than that after six months (P<0.05). The incidences of preterm delivery and premature rupture of membranes were not completely consistent in different conization ranges (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CKC increases the incidence of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, and neonatal adverse outcomes. Conization height can predict the occurrence of preterm delivery. Delaying pregnancy after surgery can reduce the incidence of adverse outcomes during the perinatal period.