Your Colposcopy procedure – Loop Diathermy of the Cervix LLETZ

Loop Diathermy of the Cervix (LLETZ) – Your colposcopy procedure

Your colposcopy procedure – Loop diathermy of the cervix (LLETZ)

The treatment that you have had today is called loop diathermy of the cervix (LLETZ). During the procedure we used an electric current to remove abnormal tissue from your cervix.

What are the benefits of having this procedure?

This procedure removes the abnormal cells from your cervix, which helps to reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing in the future.

What should I normally expect after the procedure?

• You may feel discomfort a bit like period pain, for a few hours after the procedure. You should take
  your normal painkillers to ease this pain, but do not take more than the recommended dose.

• Usually, you will have a brown or red discharge from your vagina for two to four weeks after you have
  the procedure. Do not worry if you do not have any discharge or if the discharge continues slightly
  longer than four weeks, as everyone’s cervix heals differently.

• Do not use tampons for at least four weeks after the procedure, or until the discharge stops. Instead,
  use pads or panty liners.

• To reduce bleeding, we may apply a mustard-like paste to the area we take the tissue from. When
  you pass this from your vagina, it may look like a yellowy-black plug.

• You can have a bath or shower as normal.

• Your periods may be different straight after the treatment but should soon settle into their usual
  pattern.

Are there any risks to this procedure?

Complications are very rare, but you may get an infection in the area we took the piece of tissue from. If this happens, you may need to take antibiotics.

Symptoms of an infection

• High temperature or strong-smelling discharge

• Pain. You should take your normal painkillers to ease this pain, but do not take more than the
• recommend dose.

• A large amount of bleeding (heavier than your normal period). We usually stop any bleeding during
• the procedure. If the bleeding is heavy, we may need to use a stitch and a vaginal pack (a bandage
• placed in the vagina). If we need to give you a stitch, you may have to have a general anaesthetic. If
• this happens, you may need to stay in hospital overnight to make sure the bleeding settles.

If you develop an infection, this may happen immediately after treatment or any time within the next 14 days.

If you have any of the above symptoms, it is very important that you contact your family doctor or the
colposcopy clinic for advice, as you may need another examination or antibiotics.

Other rare complications

• Stenosis – This is where the opening at the neck of the womb becomes narrow. This could temporarily affect your menstrual cycle and fertility, as the opening would be closed as a result of scarring. If this happens, we may carry out another procedure to open the neck of the womb.

• You may have a higher risk of having slightly premature babies, but this is extremely rare.

Returning to normal activities

You should be able to return to work and normal activities the day after you have your procedure. You
should avoid intense exercise or lifting anything heavy for a day or so after the procedure.

We recommend that you do not have sex or go swimming until the discharge stops, to allow the area to
heal.

We will be writing to your GP to tell them that you have had this procedure.

You will need to have follow-up cervical screening tests to check if the treatment has been successful. It is
very important that you have these tests.

We will send you a letter with your results and details of when your next cervical screening test is due. If you do not receive this letter within eight weeks of your last visit to the clinic, please contact us.

Contact details

If you have any specific concerns that you feel have not been answered and need explaining, you can contact the nurse colposcopists on the following numbers.

• The Alexandra Hospital (phone 01527 505739)

• Kidderminster Treatment Centre (phone 01527 505762)

• Worcestershire Royal Hospital (phone 01527 512003)

For out of hours or emergencies please contact

• The Emergency Gynae Assessment Unit, Worcestershire Royal Hospital (24 hours a day, 365 days
  a year) on 01905 761489

Other information

The following internet websites contain information that you may find useful.

• www.worcsacute.nhs.uk
  Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

• www.patient.co.uk
  Information fact sheets on health and disease

• www.rcoa.ac.uk
  Information leaflets by the Royal College of Anaesthetists about ‘Having an anaesthetic’

• www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
  On-line health encyclopaedia

If your symptoms or condition worsens, or if you are concerned about anything,
please call your GP, 111, or 999.

Patient Experience
We know that being admitted to hospital can be a difficult and unsettling time for you
and your loved ones. If you have any questions or concerns, please do speak with a
member of staff on the ward or in the relevant department who will do their best to
answer your questions and reassure you.

Feedback
Feedback is really important and useful to us – it can tell us where we are working well
and where improvements can be made. There are lots of ways you can share your
experience with us including completing our Friends and Family Test – cards are
available and can be posted on all wards, departments and clinics at our hospitals. We
value your comments and feedback and thank you for taking the time to share this with
us.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
If you have any concerns or questions about your care, we advise you to talk with the
nurse in charge or the department manager in the first instance as they are best placed
to answer any questions or resolve concerns quickly. If the relevant member of staff is
unable to help resolve your concern, you can contact the PALS Team. We offer informal
help, advice or support about any aspect of hospital services & experiences.

Our PALS team will liaise with the various departments in our hospitals on your behalf,
if you feel unable to do so, to resolve your problems and where appropriate refer to
outside help.

If you are still unhappy you can contact the Complaints Department, who can investigate
your concerns. You can make a complaint orally, electronically or in writing and we can
advise and guide you through the complaints procedure.

How to contact PALS:
Telephone Patient Services: 0300 123 1732 or via email at: [email protected]

Opening times:
The PALS telephone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Please
be aware that you may need to leave a voicemail message, but we aim to return your
call within one working day.

If you are unable to understand this leaflet, please communicate with a member of staff.

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