Should the Pap smear be repeated at the first colposcopy visit?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is any benefit in repeating the Pap smear at the time of colposcopy in women referred to a teaching hospital dysplasia clinic.


METHODS
Analysis of a computerised database, and review of literature.


RESULTS
Repeating the Pap smear potentially changed management in 2% of women referred with low-grade lesions, and in 7% of those with high-grade lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the literature suggests that the repeat smear may directly affect the quality of the colposcopic examination, repeating the smear in women referred with high-grade squamous intraepithelial (HSIL) smears may be beneficial.
Dolman
Grace
G
The University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Oncology/Dysplasia Unit, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Tan
Jeffrey
J
Quinn
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003127:Colposcopy / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*