The possibilities of adapting the re-processing protocol in the practice of the ThinPrep Pap test usage

Abstract

The method of liquid cytology is a newer diagnostic test compared to the traditional cytological examination of scrapings from the cervix and allows one to standardize the morphological examination and reduce the number of unsatisfactory samples. One of the factors determining the adequacy of the Pap test is the number of squamous epithelial cells in a sample. The abundance of blood elements, mucus, lubricant, or inflammatory elements may affect the informativeness of the sample. In the practice of the ThinPrep Pap test usage, when receiving an inadequate sample, a protocol for re-processing the contents of the vial is used, in order to neutralize the possible influence of such impurities on the final result. Here, we present a review on the methods of the re-processing protocol application and our own experience of adapting the protocol in the practice of a clinical diagnostic laboratory.