Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP)
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a surgical method of removing tissue from the cervix using a fine loop of wire. The wire is heated with an electric current until it is extremely hot and can cut through tissue.
LEEP can be used to take a sample of tissue for a biopsy and diagnosis or to remove tissue in a treatment procedure.
The patient usually takes ibuprofen or a similar medication before the procedure and has a local anesthetic applied to the cervix.
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Barbara S. Apgar, MD, MS - Family Medicine, Women's Health |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ross Berkowitz, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Updated | January 12, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
January 12, 2007
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