Vaginal smear
A vaginal smear , and vaginal swab called, is part of a gynecological examination . In gynecology it is used to determine the current cycle phase or hormonal activity and to clarify vaginal infections and cancer . The swab collection is the simplest and at the same time the most effective method for diagnostics, the accuracy, especially in the cytological examination for tumor cells, is approx. 90%.
Procedure and diagnosis
A vaginal smear is usually done with the help of a sterile swab that is wiped over the vaginal lining of the back third of the vagina . The vagina can be widened with a speculum for better diagnosis .
Special forms of cell production
Special forms are cell removal by scraping the portio with appropriate spatulas or cervical swabbing with a brush (cytobrush).
Functional diagnostics
If there are any further questions, the following compromises can optionally be made:
- Cytological functional diagnostics
- As part of cancer prevention , smears for exfoliating tumor cytology are taken, the cells of the vaginal mucosa also recorded are stained in a specialized cytological laboratory according to Papanicolaou Pap smear and examined for atypia .
- Hormonal function diagnostics
- Microbial function diagnostics
- Other functional diagnostics
- In forensic medicine , the vaginal smear is mainly used to get genetic traces and thus to determine sexual partners. Sperm can thus be detected up to three days after sexual intercourse .
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gynecology and Obstetrics, JW Dudenhausen, HPG Schneider, G. Bastert , de Gruyter textbook, 2nd edition, ISBN 3-11-016562-7 , p. 327
- ^ Papanicolaou GN, Traut HF Diagnosis of Uterine Cancer by the Vaginal Smear . New York, The Commonwealth Fund, 1943.
