Factors affecting residual/recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after cervical conization with negative margins

To identify factors for predicting residual or recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after cervical conization with negative margins. A total of 172 patients with histologically verified high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions who underwent conization with negative margins were recruited at the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from December 2006 to January 2016. Follow‐up comprised clinical examination, a liquid‐based cytology test, a human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA genotyping test, colposcopy assessment, and if indicated, colposcopy‐directed punch biopsy. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to analyze the median recurrent time, whereas log‐rank tests and Cox regression models were used to determine the predictors of residual/recurrent CIN. Fourteen residual/recurrent cases (8.1%) were identified in 172 patients. In univariate analysis, cytologic abnormalities on follow‐up ( P = .000), conization method ( P = .017), HPV positivity at any visit ( P = .000), persistent HPV infection postconization ( P = .000), persistent infection with the same HPV genotype ( P = .000), and HPV positivity at 18 months after conization ( P = .000) were predictive factors of residual/recurrent CIN. The results of multivariate analysis further revealed that persistent HPV infection postconization ( P = .035), HPV positivity at 18 months after conization ( P = .017), and cytologic abnormalities on follow‐up ( P = .000) had an increased risk of residual/recurrent CIN. During follow‐up, patients with persistent HPV infection or cytologic abnormalities were at high risk of residual/recurrent CIN and should be identified for close surveillance and monitoring. Meanwhile, patients with HPV who became negative within 18 months after treatment had a low risk of recurrence.