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Neovaginal cytology after total pelvic exenteration for gynecological malignancies
Author(s) -
Selvaggi Suzanne M.,
Haefner Hope K.,
Lelle Ralph J.,
Pearl Michael L.,
Roberts James A.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840130106
Subject(s) - medicine , pelvic exenteration , vagina , cervix , cytology , surgery , vaginal smear , retrospective cohort study , basal cell , gynecology , cancer , pathology , estrous cycle
Vaginal reconstruction has become an established method to re‐store sexual function in women who have undergone ultraradical surgery and/or irradiation for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies. Cytologic evaluation of the neovagina serves a major role in the detection of recurrent disease. The purpose of this retrospective 6‐yr study (January 1987–December 1993) was to evaluate the cytologic features of vaginal smear specimens from neovaginas constructed utilizing split‐thickness skin grafts. Thirty‐four vaginal smears were obtained at regular intervals from nine women (mean age: 51 yr) who underwent total pelvic exenteration with vaginal reconstruction for recurrent malignancies of the vagina and the cervix. Anucleated, keratinizing squames were a constant finding in each smear. Over a 4‐mo‐6‐yr postoperative period, superficial and intermediate squamous cells were present in the majority of the smears and the maturation index showed a shift to the right. In two cases, a squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix recurred within the neovagina. Knowledge of the cytologic features associated with neovaginas is important in order to distinguish normal changes from neoplastic lesions. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.