title: Relation between vaginal and endocervical pH in patients undergoing cold-knife conization and hysterectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the influence of endocervical pH on vaginal pH, and also the changes in these pH values following hysterectomy and cold-knife conization. Vaginal pH is important for maintaining the equilibrium of the vaginal microflora.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of women were studied: the first (n = 20, median age 45, range 33-50 years-old), before and after hysterectomy (without ovariectomy) for myomatosis; the second group (n = 18, median age 38.5, range 37-65 years-old), before and after cold-knife conization for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade II or III. Four samples (before and 90 days after surgery) were collected from the women by means of swabs: (1) anterior vaginal fornix, (2) posterior vaginal fornix, (3) posterior wall of lower vagina, and (4) endocervix (except in cases after hysterectomy). The pH was measured using a digital pHmeter (Sentron).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed that endocervical pH was less acidic than were all the vaginal locations measured, before both surgeries. After both surgeries, all vaginal pH measurements were higher, but without reaching statistical significance. Endocervical pH correlated with vaginal pH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that recent hysterectomy does not alter vaginal pH and that vaginal and endocervical pH values are related.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Oncology/Discipline of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Avenida Getúlio Guaritá s/n, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. eddiemurta@mednet.com.br
authors.forename: Eddie F C
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Murta
authors.forename: Paula B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Perfeito
authors.forename: Tânia M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Márcia A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Michelin
authors.forename: Paulo J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Maluf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry*; D019092:Conization; D003452:Cryosurgery; D004717:Endometrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery