Study of Pap Smear Examination in Patients with Complaint of Vaginal Discharge

Introduction Pap smear examination is the simple way to screen for cervical malignancy now a days. Cervical malignancy is the second most common cancer in female in developing countries. The study was carried out at GMERS medical cllege, sola, ahmedabad in female patients who had mostly complaint of white vaginal discharge. The study highlights and ascertains the utility of cytology in picking up early cervical cancer and associated causative pathogens in patients with vaginal discharge or so called leucorrhoea. Material And Methods 100 patients were taken for study. Cytopathological changes observed in the cervical squames were graded according to the Bethesda system for reporting cervical cytology. Results The cytological patterns were found to be 1) Normal- 10 (10 %) 2) Inflammatory-78 (78 %) 3) LSIL-3 (3 %) 4) HSIL-2 (2 %) 5) ASCUS-4 (4 %), atrophic vaginitis- 3 (3 %). Discussion Cytological evaluation revealed as expected, maximum number of inflammatory smears (78 %) and cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion was found in 5 cases. Conclusion Out of 100 cases screened, positive smears were obtained in all cases. Special consideration comprising of 3 % for LSIL, 2 % for HSIL, 4 % of atypical squamous epithelial cells. As it is known that the cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) have long course to turn into the invasive stage, its detection early by Pap Smear reduces the mortality and morbidity with cervical cancer. Also in cases of leucorrhoea, pap smear helps in identifying, the specific pathogen.