Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a safe and effective outpatient procedure used to remove abnormal or pre-cancerous cells from the cervix (the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina). It is often recommended when a Pap smear reveals CIN (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia), which are changes in cervical cells that could progress to cancer over time.
LEEP is both diagnostic and therapeutic. It removes the abnormal tissue and allows for further examination under a microscope to confirm the extent and severity of the changes. It is recommended for CIN 2 or CIN 3 (moderate to severe dysplasia), persistent HPV infection with abnormal Pap results and prior biopsy confirms pre-cancerous changes needing excision.