CERVICAL SMEAR

Abstract

Objective: To review cervical smear results in women of reproductive age group. Study design: Descriptive study. Place and
duration of study: This study was carried out at the pathology department, Railway hospital, Islamic International Medical College Trust.
Rawalpindi, from Jan 2007-Dec 2010. Materials and methods: A total of four hundred and seventy seven cervical smears were included in the
study. Inclusion criteria was females of reproductive age group. Smears from postmenopausal women and those who had hysterectomy were
excluded from the study. The cervical smear was taken using modified Ayres wooden spatula, or plastic spatula, to collect endocervical sample.
The slides prepared were immediately fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol, and were subsequently stained by the recommended procedure of Pap
staining. After staining, the slides were mounted with Canada balsam and finally reported by the cytopathologist according to the Bethesda
System. Results: Four hundred and seventy seven patients were included in the study. Most of the patients belonged to low socio economic
status. The cytological examination of the smears showed inflammatory changes in 33% (n=159) cases, normal smears/ no positive finding in
25% (n= 118) cases, while reactive changes were seen in 2% (n= 10). Dysplastic changes were seen in 2 %( n= 10), while unsatisfactory/
Inadequate samples were reported in 38 %( n=182) cases.