Routine vaginal cuff smear testing in post-hysterectomy patients with benign uterine conditions: when is it indicated?
Videlefsky A, Grossl N, Denniston M, Sehgal R, Lane JM, Goodenough G. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA 30335, USA. BACKGROUND: By the age of 60 years, an estimated 33% of women will have undergone a hysterectomy. Approximately 85% of these hysterectomies are performed for benign disease. The object of this study was to evaluate cytologic findings from vaginal cuff smears in patients who have undergone hysterectomy for benign uterine conditions. METHODS: We conducted a community-based retrospective study and follow-up of women with vaginal cuff cytologic smears who had had a hysterectomy for benign uterine conditions. A total of 220 women were randomly selected who had one or more vaginal cuff smears. The main outcomes measures were invasive carcinoma, dysplastic lesions, and infections detected by vaginal cuff smear testing. The setting was a large inner-city hospital. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent o
