The aim of this meta-analysis was to discuss evidence supporting the efficacy of adjuvant human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in reducing the risk of recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or greater after surgical treatment.

A systematic literature search was performed for studies reporting the impact of HPV vaccination on reducing the risk of recurrence of CIN 2+ after surgical excision. Results were reported as mean differences or pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. In total, 21,310 patients were included: 4039 (19%) received peri-operational adjuvant HPV vaccination while 17,271 (81%) received surgery alone. The recurrence of CIN 2+ after treatment was significantly lower in the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated group (OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.21-0.56; < 0.0001). The recurrence of CIN 1+ after treatment was significantly lower in the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated group (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.31-0.83; = 0.006). A non-significant trend of reduction rate of HPV persistence was observed in the vaccinated compared with the unvaccinated cohorts (OR was 0.84; 95% CI 0.61-1.15; = 0.28).

HPV vaccination, in adjuvant setting, is associated with a reduced risk of recurrent CIN 1+ and CIN 2+ after surgical treatment.