Regression rate of clinical HPV infection of the lower genital tract during pregnancy after laser CO₂ surgery

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of laser CO ₂ surgery during pregnancy to prevent clinical HPV infection recurrence after delivery and vertical infection. A case-control study was performed on 280 pregnant women affected by clinical HPV infection treated during pregnancy with 256 women treated three months after delivery. Follow-up was performed for a minimum of three colposcopic examinations for two years. Recurrence rates were calculated considering the number of positive findings for at least one colposcopic examination confirmed by biopsy after a negative control in a year. Statistical comparison of rates was performed by χ² and Fisher's exact test. Recurrence rates were higher in the women treated in postpartum (p <.01) than in the group treated during gestation (p <.005). Clinical HPV infections treated during the second trimester of pregnancy showed a sensitive decrease in recurrence rate of infection. Rarity of respiratory papillomatosis makes conclusions inconsistent for the prevention of vertical infection.