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The comparison of two methods in cervical smear screening — which method is better for smear adequacy rates?
, 1, 2
Affiliations- Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Department Istanbul, Türkiye
- Istanbul Training and Research Hospital Pathology Department Istanbul, istanbul, Türkiye
open access
Abstract
Objectives: In the cervical smear screening test as a sample collection method for liquid-based thin layer cytology, classically the collecting device is placed into a liquid fixative solution and vigorously swirled or rotated ten times in the solution and the collection device is removed from the solution. In this study, a plastic smear brush was used as the collection device. After the cervical cell sample was obtained, the smear brush was detached from the stick and left in the solution and given to the laboratory. Our aim in the study is to examine whether smear inadequacy rates have decreased with the method used in the study compared to the classical method.
Material and methods: While the classical technique which the collecting device is placed into a solution and mixed and removed from the solution is defined as Method 1. The technique used in the study was defined as Method 2. The cervical smear screening test results obtained by two different methods in two consecutive time periods were analyzed. The two methods were compared using chi-square test in terms of smear inadequacy.
Results: A total of 2129 test results, including 1129 smears in Method 1 and 1000 smears in Method 2 were examined. The mean ages of the patients tested in both methods were similar (36 ± 6.1 and 37 ± 6.7). Abnormal test result rate was similar for Method 1 and Method 2 (5.8% vs 4.9%, respectively). The inadequate sample rate was higher in Method 1 than Method 2 (8.3% vs 2.1%, respectively).
Conclusions: The study showed that leaving the smear brush in the solution is a better way to reduce the inadequacy sample rates. This result may guide clinicians about smear techniques.
Abstract
Objectives: In the cervical smear screening test as a sample collection method for liquid-based thin layer cytology, classically the collecting device is placed into a liquid fixative solution and vigorously swirled or rotated ten times in the solution and the collection device is removed from the solution. In this study, a plastic smear brush was used as the collection device. After the cervical cell sample was obtained, the smear brush was detached from the stick and left in the solution and given to the laboratory. Our aim in the study is to examine whether smear inadequacy rates have decreased with the method used in the study compared to the classical method.
Material and methods: While the classical technique which the collecting device is placed into a solution and mixed and removed from the solution is defined as Method 1. The technique used in the study was defined as Method 2. The cervical smear screening test results obtained by two different methods in two consecutive time periods were analyzed. The two methods were compared using chi-square test in terms of smear inadequacy.
Results: A total of 2129 test results, including 1129 smears in Method 1 and 1000 smears in Method 2 were examined. The mean ages of the patients tested in both methods were similar (36 ± 6.1 and 37 ± 6.7). Abnormal test result rate was similar for Method 1 and Method 2 (5.8% vs 4.9%, respectively). The inadequate sample rate was higher in Method 1 than Method 2 (8.3% vs 2.1%, respectively).
Conclusions: The study showed that leaving the smear brush in the solution is a better way to reduce the inadequacy sample rates. This result may guide clinicians about smear techniques.
Keywords
cervical smear; inadequacy rates; liquid-based cytology; thin prep
About this articleTitle
The comparison of two methods in cervical smear screening — which method is better for smear adequacy rates?
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
335-338
Published online
2021-03-08
Page views
991
Article views/downloads
775
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2021;92(5):335-338.
Keywords
cervical smear
inadequacy rates
liquid-based cytology
thin prep
Authors
Işık Kaban
Besim Haluk Bacanakgil
Sevim Koca
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