The Multispatula: A New Dimension in Sampling the Cervix

Authors' reply

“…We found the Multispatula to be significantly better than the Ayre's spatula in this respect, with 76% of Multispatula samples from patients with treated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) containing endocervical cells versus 47% of Ayre's samples (Hughes et al 1992). These figures are remarkably similar to those quoted by Pistofidis et al (1984), in relation to antenatal patients, who reported that 81% of Multispatula smears and 37% of Ayre's smears from these patients contained endocervical cells. The two study groups are very different but our high pickup rate of endocervical cells with the Multispatula would suggest that the colposcopists participating in our trial were, in fact, using the Multispatula correctly.…”

“…Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to reply to Dr Pistofidis' letter. We note his remarks with interest and make the following comments: Dr Pistofidis states that the Multispatula is more efficient than the Ayre's spatula at obtaining endocervical cells (Pistofidis et al 1984) and our data would support this assertion. We found the Multispatula to be significantly better than the Ayre's spatula in this respect, with 76% of Multispatula samples from patients with treated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) containing endocervical cells versus 47% of Ayre's samples (Hughes et al 1992).…”

The cytological detection of persistent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia after local ablative treatment: a comparison of sampling devices

“…The capacity of the Multispatula as an efficient cervical sampler has been proved in this country in a number of studies, some of which have already been published. The Multispatula has been compared with the Ayre spatula by assessing the endocervical cell content of smears in women attending outpatient and antenatal clinics (Pistofidis et al 1984). The Multispatula yielded smears with a more abundant content of endocervical cells.…”