Direct-to-vial experience with AutoCyte PREP in a small New England regional cytology practice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and assess the efficiency and efficacy of the AutoCyte PREP thin-layer Pay test method (TriPath Imaging, Inc., Burlington, North Carolina) in a privately owned cytology laboratory. STUDY DESIGN: Data from 35,496 conventional Pap smear preparations performed in 1999 were compared to 6,357 conventional Pap smears and 15,534 AutoCyte PREP cases that were collected, prepared and processed from January 1 to July 31, 2000. RESULTS: The AutoCyte PREP demonstrated a statistically significant increased detection of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) (47%) (P = .0011) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) (116%) (P = .0002) when compared to conventional Pap smears processed during the same time period. When compared to the conventional Pap smears from 1999, the LSIL lesions increased by 57% (P < .00001), and the HSIL lesions increased by 55% (P = .0002). Both in creases are statistically significant. The atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)/LSIL ratio was reduced by 48% (P < .00001) using AutoCyte PREP when compared to the 1999 conventional Pnp smear experience. The unsatisfactory rate ions reduced by 70%. AutoCyte PREP demonstrated improved histologic correlation in HSIL cases. CONCLUSION: AutoCyte PREP was significantly more effective than the conventional Pap smear for the detection of both LSIL and HSIL. The ASCUS/LSIL ratio and unsatisfactory cases were also significantly reduced. (J Reprod Med 2001;46:353-358).