Comparative study of fixed and un-fixed dry cervical smear slides

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical screening test is advised in order to pick abnormalities early and also to institute early treatment to prevent cervical cancer.

AIM: To determine weather unfixed air dried cervical smears can be transported from remote areas in the resource limited setting to laboratories and still obtain staining qualities.

Method: Sixty (60) paired slides of cervical smears were obtained from women attending routine checkups in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano. The chemical indicator smears were taken by gynecologist under direct vision using wooden spatula. The smears were immediately fixed in 95% ethanol for 30 to 45 minutes, one group was left and allowed to air dry. The two air dried slides (fixed and unfixed) smears were rehydrated in water before staining using papanicolaou staining method, and examined under Olympus microscope at magnification of x4 and x10 and x40 objectives respectively.

Result: The slides that were kept for 24 hours were viewed at x10 and x40 objectives and the data obtained were as followed. At x40 objective all the smear slides were visualized, at x10 objectives all the sixty(60) smear slides were hazy and at x40 objectives, all the sixty(60) smear slides have poor magnification.

Conclusion: With the result obtained it will not be possible to use plain air dry smear but rather pre fixed smear prior to staining.

Key Words: Cervical; Pap Smears; Papanoclaou; Exfoliate; Fixative