Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) in Ventura, California

What Is LEEP?

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP for short) is an electrosurgical procedure meant to removes abnormal cells from the cervix. This minimally invasive procedure uses a thin wire loop through which an electric current is passed to remove a thin layer of tissue containing the abnormal cells. The procedure is performed in your OBGYN’s office and seldom takes more than a few moments.

The board-certified gynecologists at Ventura County Obstetrics & Gynecology provide LEEP procedures to women throughout the Ventura area including Santa Barbra, Thousand Oaks, and Oxnard. Learn more about LEEP and call us at (805) 643-8695 to schedule your appointment today.

Benefits of LEEP

When dealing with abnormal cells in the cervix, LEEP is commonly prescribed as the treatment of choice due to the following reasons:

• Simple, easy procedure. In the hands of an experienced OBGYN like the ones of Ventura County Obstetrics and Gynecology, the LEEP procedure takes only a few moment’s time.
• Inexpensive. The equipment needed to perform a LEEP is all commonly stocked in our Ventura office.
• Effective. The success rate of a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is typically placed around 90%.

The Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure

After a local anesthesia is administered, the thin wire loop is inserted into the vagina and to the cervix. Electrical current is applied to the loop and the loop acts as a scalpel to remove the abnormal tissue. The tissue is then evaluated to make or confirm a diagnosis. Other procedures can be used to remove the abnormal cells and include:

• cryosurgery
• laser treatment
• cone biopsy

However, the actual procedure used depends upon how much tissue needs to be removed and where the cells are located on the cervix. Recovery time usual takes several weeks. Like all procedures LEEP does have some risks so it is important to understand them before having the procedure.