What equipment is used for a Pap smear?
For the Pap smear, your provider will use a plastic or metal instrument called a speculum to open the vagina, so the cervix can be seen. Your provider will then use a soft brush or plastic spatula to collect cells from the cervix.
What is a Pap tool?
A Pap smear is a screening tool that can help doctors detect abnormal cells and cancer. It works by sampling cells from the cervix. Cervical cancer screening is vital for getting an early diagnosis of cervical cancer.
How do you collect a Pap sample?
Pap test. In a Pap test, your doctor uses a vaginal speculum to hold your vaginal walls apart and to see the cervix. Next, a sample of cells from your cervix is collected using a small cone-shaped brush and a tiny plastic spatula (1 and 2).
How do you use cytobrush for a Pap smear?
Insert the cytobrush into the cervical os no further than the end of the bristles and rotate 90°. For SurePath: Snap off the head of the cytobrush (avoid touching the head of the device), and drop into the liquid vial (avoid splashing). For ThinPrep: Rinse the cytobrush by swirling it vigorously in the vial 10 times.
How much is a Pap smear?
The cost of a Pap smear varies but not too much. All in all, it should cost less than $100 with insurance in the United States. If you’re paying out of pocket, expect the costs to range from $25 to $150. And don’t forget there may be medical facilities in your area that offer Pap smears at a lower cost or at no cost.
How do you do a Pap spatula?
Rotate a spatula 360° once to obtain a single sample. Smear the sample onto the labeled slide. Fix the sample immediately (before it is air-dried) using a cytology spray fixative. Hold the fixative 15-20 cm (6 to 8 inches) away from the slide and evenly spray the slide by depressing the plunger 2 or 3 times.
What is a cytobrush used for?
A cytobrush is a plastic tool used to obtain cells from the cervix during the procedure of a pap smear.
How do you use cytobrush and spatula?
First use a spatula for the exocervical specimen. Then use a cytobrush or the elongated end of the spatula for the endocervical sample. Rotate cytobrush 180° only. Place both specimens side-by-side lengthwise on a single slide and fix immediately.
What is a spatula used for Pap smear?
The Ayre spatula is a device used to collect Pap smear. It is a wooden spatula with U shaped openings on one side and a flat surface on another. The broad end is for vaginal sample collection and the narrow end is for cervical sample collection.