Does gel affect cytology or comfort in the screening papanicolaou smear?
OBJECTIVE
Current medical training recommends obtaining cervical cytological specimens without the use of lubricating gel. The purpose of this study was to determine whether water-soluble lubricant gel affects cytologic outcomes in the screening Papanicolaou smear and patient comfort during vaginal speculum examination.


METHODS
The study was a randomized controlled trial performed at David Grant US Air Force Medical Center (Travis Air Force Base, CA). Participants were female patients at least 18 years old presenting for an annual Papanicolaou smear. Each patient, blinded to group assignment, consented to two consecutive Papanicolaou smears. The first Papanicolaou smear was performed without gel in all subjects as part of the "standard of care." Thirty control patients underwent a second examination with no gel, and 40 other patients had the second examination with gel. All patients rated the discomfort of each Papanicolaou smear on a numerical pain scale. Main outcome measures were cytologic discrepancies on standard glass slide samples and comfort differences regarding the use of gel lubrication. Fisher's exact test was used to interpret the effect of gel on cytology results. Student's t test was performed to compare the discomfort ratings for the second Papanicolaou smear in the GEL vs. the NO GEL groups.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between the number of inadequate Papanicolaou smears (P = .50) nor in the discomfort level ratings in the GEL vs. the NO GEL groups (P = .69).


CONCLUSIONS
Speculum gel lubrication does not affect cervical cytology during the traditional Papanicolaou smear, nor does it provide significant alteration of patient discomfort.
Gilson
Meredith
M
American Academy of Family Physicians, Uniformed Services Academy of Family Practice, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA 01731, USA. meredith.gilson@hanscom.af.mil
Desai
Alpa
A
Cardoza-Favarato
Gabriella
G
Vroman
Penny
P
Thornton
Jennifer A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054327:Lubricants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
D054327:Lubricants; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies