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Comparison of Carnoy's solution and 96% ethyl alcohol fixation in bloody Pap smears
Mehri Shamsi1, Khadijeh Abdali, Nader Riyaz Montazer
1Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. mehri13@yahoo.com
Objective:
To compare 2 methods of fixation in bloody Pap smears with Carnoy's solution and 96% ethyl alcohol.
Study Design:
After observation of contact bleeding, 2 samples were prepared from cervical cells with conventional Pap smear. One sample was fixed in 96% ethyl alcohol and another sample was fixed in Carnoy's solution.
Results:
Of 450 slides, 410 were selected for study. In study of cell adequacy, diagnosis of squamous cells and glandular cells was better in Carnoy's-fixed slides. Blood contamination of slides was reduced in Carnoy's-fixed slides (13.85% vs. 49.51%), and clearance of slides was increased in Carnoy's-fixed slides. Diagnosis of inflammatory cells and pathogenic microorganisms in was increased in Carnoy's-fixed slides, but no difference was seen in diagnosis of epithelial cell and glandular cell abnormalities.
Conclusion:
Carnoy's solution can be used as an effective fixative in bloody smears in conventional Pap tests.
