GYNECOLOGIC SAMPLE PREPARATION
4.2
ThinPrep™ 5000 Processor with AutoLoader Operator’s Manual
COLLECTION PREPARATION
ThinPrep
™
Collection Techniques
The detection of cervical cancer and its precursors as well as other gynecologic abnormalities is the
primary purpose of obtaining a cervical cell sample. The following guidelines are referenced from
CLSI Document GP15-A3
1
and are recommended in the collection process for obtaining a ThinPrep
Pap test (TPPT) specimen. In general, the guidelines state that it is important to obtain a specimen
that is not obscured by blood, mucus, inflammatory exudate or lubricant.
Patient Information
• The patient should be tested 2 weeks after the first day of her last menstrual period, and
definitely not when she is menstruating.
Even though the TPPT reduces obscuring blood, clinical studies have demonstrated that
excessive amounts of blood may still compromise the test and possibly lead to an unsatisfac-
tory result.
2
• The patient should not use vaginal medication, vaginal contraceptives, or douches during
the 48 hours before the exam.
Specimen Collection Preparation
• Lubricant jellies should not be used to lubricate the speculum.
Even though lubricant jellies are water soluble, excessive amounts of jelly may compromise
the test and possibly lead to an unsatisfactory result.
• Remove excess mucus or other discharge present before taking the sample. This should be
gently removed with ring forceps holding a folded gauze pad.
The excess cervical mucus is essentially devoid of meaningful cellular material and when
present in the sample vial may yield a slide with little or no diagnostic material present.
• Remove inflammatory exudate from the cervical canal before taking the sample. Remove by
placing a dry 2 x 2 inch (5 x 5 cm) piece of gauze over the cervix and peeling it away after it
absorbs the exudate or by using a dry proctoswab or scopette.
The excess inflammatory exudate is essentially devoid of diagnostic cellular material and
when present in the sample vial may yield a slide with little or no diagnostic material pres-
ent.
• The cervix should not be cleaned by washing with saline or it may result in a relatively
acellular specimen.
• The sample should be obtained before the application of acetic acid.
1. Papanicolaou Technique Approved Guidelines (CLSI Document GP15-A3, 2008)
2. Lee et al. Comparison of Conventional Papanicolaou Smears and Fluid-Based, Thin-Layer System for Cervical
Cancer Screening. Ob Gyn 1997; 90: 278–284.
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