Cervical polyp removal is a simple procedure that can be performed under a local anesthetic. The patient does not generally experience much pain or discomfort, and she is able to leave the hospital or clinic right after the polyp is removed. In most cases, a cervical polyp is a benign growth, though it is usually sent to a laboratory for testing to ensure that it is not malignant. After the removal, the patient takes a course of antibiotics because many polyps have become infected.
A cervical polyp that does not cause any symptoms may not need to be removed at all. Medical professionals are not sure what causes these growths, and though they are often found to be infected, many can be left alone. A patient that experiences discomfort or bleeding, however, may benefit from having them removed.
In many cases, it is possible to twist a polyp off at the base. This type of removal is nonintrusive and relatively quick, since the medical professional just uses a pair of forceps to grip the polyp and twist it. Instead of twisting off the polyp, he or she may use a piece of surgical thread, placing it around the polyp and tightening it until the growth is sliced off.
Both of these procedures successfully remove the polyp, although they do not remove the base where it is attached it to the cervix. This portion can be removed with either an electrical current or a laser. In both cases, the base is burned, which kills the cells and usually prevents the polyp from returning.
Occasionally, a cervical polyp may be located slightly inside the cervix, in which case it may be necessary to perform a simple surgical procedure, known as dilation and curettage, to make sure that the cervical polyp removal is complete. During this procedure, the patient's cervix is dilated through the use of medication and a cutting tool is used to slice off the polyp. Though this is slightly more involved than the procedures normally used, it is still a common procedure and can be completed while the patient is under only a local anesthetic.