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 woman usually takes ibuprofen or a similar medicine before the procedure and has a local anesthetic applied to the cervix.

Last Revised: December 28, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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