title: Effects of dilute acetic acid on the cervical smear.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of 5% acetic acid on the cells and cellular content of cervical smears.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, controlled trial was performed with 42 patients in each group. The study group received acetic acid application to the cervix followed by a smear, while the sequence was reversed in the control group. Cytologic evaluation of the smears was done without knowledge of the group allocation in each case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group in which acetic acid was applied before the smear was taken showed significantly poorer staining properties of the smear (P < .0001) and also significantly lower cellular content (P = .0006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acetic acid has adverse effects on the cervical smear and should be applied after the smear is taken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Cronjé
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Divall
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bam
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Cooreman
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Niemand
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019342:Acetic Acid