Colposcopy in a private family practice: a one year experience.

Objective: To describe results achieved by family physicians performing colposcopy in our private practice.

Methods: A chart review was performed one year after initiating colposcopy services.

Results: Forty-five patients underwent 47 colposcopic exams, most often for mild dysplasia or persistent atypia on Papanicolaou smears. Of the 21 patients with persisting atypia on smear, 16 (76.2%) showed dysplasia on biopsy. Twenty-five patients (55.6%) underwent cryotherapy, which successfully eradicated the abnormality in 16 of the 20 (80%) for whom follow-up is complete. Ten patients (22.2%) were referred to gynecologists for further evaluation and/or treatment. Six patients (13.3%) had not received the recommended follow-up after either colposcopy or cryotherapy.

Conclusions: Family physicians in private practice performing colposcopy and cryotherapy can provide complete care for 75% of patients with abnormal Papanicolaou smears. Patients with squamous atypia on smear may have dysplasia on biopsy more often than previously reported. A recall system and regular chart audits are recommended to improve follow-up.