The Appropriate Time for Cytology Examination to Screen for Cervical Cancer after Childbirth

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the rate of satisfactory Pap smear for postpartum checkup between at 6th and 8th week.
Materials and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial study. The data were collected from the participants who came to postpartum clinic at the 6 and 8 weeks after childbirth in Phrapokklao hospital from February to May 2020. Satisfactory specimen was evaluated as defined by Bethesda reporting system (2014).
Results: The participants (144) who came for examination at 6 and 8 weeks after childbirth were divided into two groups. First group of 72 participants was at 6 weeks postpartum and the second group of 72 participants was at 8 weeks postpartum. From the results, 17 participants (23.6%) with vaginal bleeding were found in the first group, while only 2 (2.7%) in the second group. For the satisfactory of the specimen, the second group had no vaginal bleeding and showed more satisfactory specimen for cytologic screening of cervical cancer result than the participants in the first group (70 (97.3%) vs 55 (76.4%)). The difference between the two groups were statistical significance (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Timing of postpartum checkup at 8th week was appropriate than at 6th week because of less vaginal bleeding and showed more satisfactory of cytologic screening for cervical cancer. Changing the period of appointment to the same as her neonatal vaccine program schedule also might get benefit from decreasing expense and number of hospital visit.