Should the Pap smear be repeated at the first colposcopy visit?

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether there is any benefit in repeating the Pap smear at the time of colposcopy in women referred to a teaching hospital dysplasia clinic. Methods: Analysis of a computerised database, and review of literature. Results: Repeating the Pap smear potentially changed management in 2% of women referred with low-grade lesions, and in 7% of those with high-grade lesions. Conclusion: Although the literature suggests that the repeat smear may directly affect the quality of the colposcopic examination, repeating the smear in women referred with high-grade squamous intraepithelial (HSIL) smears may be beneficial. © 2005 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians a..