Cytological screening--the technique of cytological specimen taking and its influence on the quality of the method

The aim of our research work was to evaluate if the way of taking material influence the quality of the Pap smear test. 2300 patients were examined by taking Pap smear test for 7 years period from 2000 till 2007. In 1000 patients endocervical brush /Cytobrush/ was used and after that Ayre spatula for taking ectocervical material. In 1300 patients Ayre spatula was used first and after that endocervical brush applied. The number of the Pap smears contaminated with blood, the Pap smears without endocervical component and the Pap smears with bad fixation were examined. There were more contaminated with blood pap smears in the group where endocervical brush was used first /156 patients vs 100, p = 0.004/. There was no significant difference in the number of bad fixated pap smears, the "thick" pap smears, the inflamated Pap smears in both groups. The quality of the technique for taking pap smears when Ayre spatula is used first and after that endocervical brush is better than the reverse way of obtaining cytological material from the cervix. With this technique we find more squamous intraepithelial lesions.