Ann. Pak. Inst. Med. Sci. 2013; 9(2): 61-63

Objective: To determine the frequency of precancerous conditions of cervix (squamous cell lesions) in women with chronic vaginal discharge by Pap smear screening.
Study Design: Descriptive Study
Place and Duration: : The study was conducted at the outpatient department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, in a private setup from January 2005 to December 2010.
Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty patients with complaint of chronic vaginal discharge were consecutively sampled their Pap smears taken and samples were sent to Laboratory for cytological examination. All low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) cases were advised follow up with repeat Pap smear in 6–12 months and those high grade squamous cells intra epithelia lesions (HSIL) were further investigated by cervical biopsy and managed accordingly.
Results: Of the total, 56 patients were between 25–30 years of age, and 104 between 31–35 years of age. Mean age of patients was 31.6 years, mean age at marriage 21.7 years, and mean parity was 3.6. Most of the patients (67.9%) belonged to low socioeconomic status. The cytological examination of the smears showed no changes (normal) in 61 (38.1%) cases while 88 (55%) cases showed inflammatory changes, 08 (5.0%) showed dysplastic changes, of whom 6 cases had LSIL (3.8%) and one case(0.6%) was of moderate dysplasia (HSIL). One(0.6%) was having severe dysplasia (HSIL). Inadequate sample was reported in 03 (1.9%) cases.
Conclusion: Pap smear should be used as a routine test for all sexually active, young females presented to the gynecology outpatient department, for early detection of cervical pre cancer as it is not uncommon in our set up.
Keywords: PAP Smear, Cervical intraepithelial lesion.

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