The cold knife cone biopsy procedure involves the following steps:
- Preparation: The patient is placed under regional (spinal or epidural) or general anesthesia. The cervix is cleaned and prepared for surgery.
- Tissue Removal: Using a scalpel, the surgeon removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix. This tissue includes the area with abnormal cells.
- Sample Handling: The removed tissue is sent to a pathology lab for examination to determine if cancerous or precancerous cells are present.
- Closure: The cervix may be stitched to control bleeding and promote healing. The procedure typically takes about 15-30 minutes.