title: The extended tip spatula for cervical cytology.
abstract: An important factor in assessing the adequacy of cervical cytologic preparation is the presence of endocervical cells in the Pap smear. A study in a university based family practice center compares the percentage of "adequate" smears obtained by using the standard Ayre spatula and cotton tipped applicator with the yield obtained while using a new extended tip cervical spatula. A significant increase in the percentage of slides with endocervical cells is found where extended tip spatulas are used for harvesting cervical and endocervical cells.
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D003368:Gossypium; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation*