RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Use Effectiveness Of The Cytobrush ™ In The Primary Care Setting
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 365
OP 368
DO 10.3122/jabfm.5.4.365
VO 5
IS 4
A1 Cauthen, Don B.
A1 Cullison, Mark
A1 Symm, Barbalee
A1 Peterson, Robert F.
YR 1992
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/5/4/365.abstract
AB Background: Numerous studies indicate that Papanicolaou smears contain better cellular material when the technique for collecting the sample employs the Zelsmyn Cytobrush ™. Few studies, however, have examined its ability to increase the percentage of abnormal Papanicolaou smear results in actual clinical practice. Methods: This study looked at 7999 Papanicolaou smears done by 46 primary care physicians to determine the percentage of abnormal results during two different periods. The Cytobrush ™ technique was then implemented; and after 6029 Papanicolaou smears, the percentage of smears with abnormal findings was recalculated. Results: The proportion of Papanicolaou smears demonstrating significantly abnormal cells remained constant during the three observation periods: 1.81 percent during the first period, 1.96 percent during the second period (before the Cytobrush ™ technique was implemented), and 1.96 percent during the third period (after the Cytobrush ™ technique was implemented). Conclusions: It seems logical that Papanicolaou smears containing better cellular material from the squamocolumnar Junction would increase the yield of Papanicolaou smears with cancerous and precancerous cells. Our study, however, did not confirm this supposition. While evaluation of Papanicolaou smear technique based on quantity and quality of cellular material is important, we believe the effectiveness of any technique must be evaluated from another perspective — the actual practice setting.