Association of colposcopy with pap smear in evaluation of unhealthy cervix- a prospective study

Abstract

Background: Unhealthy cervix is a very common finding in our country due to poor genital hygiene, malnutrition and multiparity. The cervix is the commonest site for female genital cancer. Gynaecologists who work in tertiary care institutes in the developing countries to get referrals from practitioners and peripheral health centres for patients with a clinical diagnosis of an “unhealthy cervix. An “unhealthy cervix” or grossly abnormal cervix can harbour premalignant cervical lesions or invasive carcinoma. That’s why present study was planned to evaluate colposcopy role in relation to PAP smear in symptomatic patients. Methods: The present study was a prospective, analytical study. After institutional committee approval this study was conducted from January 2021 to January 2022 in department of obstetrics and gynecology at RNT Medical college, Udaipur. Total 140 women were assessed for this study. Results: Our study results based on combined cytology and colposcopy with histopathology- sensitivity =100%, specificity =87.03%, PPV=84.09%, NPV=100%, accuracy =92.30%. The result of current study supports that, PAP smear demonstrates premalignant and malignant lesions, whereas colposcopy shows the exact site for biopsy for histopathological diagnosis and for further management. Conclusions: Colposcopy and cytology are complementary to each other. Best result in early detection of pre-invasive carcinomas could be obtained by combined use of cytology, colposcopy and colposcopy guided biopsy. So, use of ‘single visit approach’ in which cytology, colposcopy and guided biopsy all are done in one setting and treated accordingly in resource poor countries will enable maximum utilization of scarce medical resources.