To investigate the variables in association with positive cervical cone margin that is important for predicting residual neoplasia after cervical conizaton in patients with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

This study performed retrospective review of abnormal colposcopic findings based on Reid index and high risk HPV viral load by using Hybrid Capture II on 139 patients of CIN III who had undergone cervical conization in outpatient department.

In chi-square test, abnormal colposcopic findings of margin, color and lesion location were related to cervical cone margin status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high grade of acetowhite epithelium (relative risk=2.23, 95% confidence limit=1.003-4.995) and endocervical location of the lesion (relative risk=5.19, 95% confidence limit=2.375-11.320) were significant predictor for cervical cone margin involvement. High risk HPV viral load of the cervical lesion did not affect cone margin status.

These data suggest that abnormal colposcopic findings are useful in predicting cervical cone margin status in patients with high grade of cervical intraepithelial lesions and careful reassessment of colposcopy with exact geometry of the conization specimen is necessary before cervical conization.