Comparison between the effectiveness of cytobrush-spatula versus spatula in cervical smear

Cervical cancer was known as one of the most common genital cancers in Iranian population, for which pop smear was revealed to be effective in early diagnosis and treatment. The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy of cytobrush-spatula versus spatula in cervical smear. It was a descriptive study performed on 262 females referring to Akbar Abadi Health Center in 1996. Random sampling was performed and samples were obtained by means of either spatula or cytobrush-spatula. Number of endocervical cells, bleeding, pain, and discomfort were compared between the groups. Data were analyzed using t-test and chi-square. Groups have shown no significant differences regarding their age, age at marriage, parity, and type of contraception. Results have revealed that there is no significant difference in the number of cervical cells greater than 25 cells in two groups. All pap smears of both groups have found squamous cells. Meanwhile, there is a significant difference in present blood cells between the two groups (p<0.05). Present blood cells due to the method of sampling caused partial or total ambigious was greater in spatula group as compared to cytobrush-spatula group. Thus, spatula may lead to cervical trauma and bleeding.