title: Efficacy of modified rapid economic acetic acid-based Papanicolaou stain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Papanicolaou (Pap) staining is used with various modifications for the staining of cervical smears. It gives a good contrast with sharp nuclear features which aid in accurate interpretation. However, it utilises ethyl alcohol, which is expensive and difficult to purchase. We have attempted to devise a rapid Pap technique which uses acetic acid instead of ethyl alcohol, and yet provides good staining for correct diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Liquid-based cytology samples were collected from 102 patients as a part of routine screening. Two smears were prepared from each sample, which were stained with conventional as well as rapid Pap. In the rapid Pap method, the smears were fixed in methanol and dehydration was performed before and after OG6 with 0.5% acetic acid. The final dehydration was performed with methanol. Smears from both techniques were compared by two independent observers for staining quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the rapid Pap stain, nuclear staining was comparable with that of conventional Pap (P < 0.05). Cytoplasmic staining was optimal in 69.6% of cases; however, the suboptimal staining in the rest of the smears did not pose any diagnostic problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rapid Pap technique is a cost-effective alternative to conventional Pap which also saves time and provides good staining quality without compromising the diagnostic interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bhagat
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Susheilia
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sadhukhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajwanshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytology and Gynaecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dey
mesh_terms: D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000379:methods*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Papanicolaou's stain; acetic acid; cervical smear; cost; rapid stain