[Prevention of cervix cancer. Comparison of the sample quality obtained using cotton swab or cervical brush].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pap smear adequacy, and to compare the quality using cervical cytobrush with that obtain by using cotton swab in the endocervical sample.


METHODS
Transversal study. Carried out in two periods both pre and post intervention.


METHODS
Primary care centre in the south of Madrid.


METHODS
We have analysed all the pap smear performed during two periods. In the first period we obtained 1130 smears using cotton swab and 884 smears using cervical cytobrush in the second period. We used the Ayre Spatula to obtain the exocervical samples.


RESULTS
2014 pap smears were analysed. Of the 1130 smears examined in the primary study using the cotton swab, 25.9% were inadequate because of the absence of the transformation zone cells. In the second group, 884 pap smears obtained by using the cytobrush, only 13.9% were reported as inadequate smears, p < 0.00001 (chi square). 18 smears were positive for malignancy (6 suspicious, 9 CIN I, 3 CIN III, all under the age of 49. 14.6% were positive for infections. There were no significant differences in the smear adequacy in regards to the professional who obtained the sample.


CONCLUSIONS
We have improved the smear adequacy 12% by using the cytobrush. We recommend the cytobrush for endocervical smears to avoid having to repeat the sample. We consider it necessary to indicate the smear adequacy in all pathology reports.
Redondo Horcajo
A M
AM
Centro de Salud Pintores, Area 10, Parla, Madrid. mpinedog@medynet.com
Guerra Merino
A
A
Pinedo Garrido
G
G
García Aranda
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*