Cervical disease in women referred to colposcopy following inadequate smears

The aim of this audit was to determine if inadequate cervical smears are as sociated with significant cervical pathology. Case records for 52 women wit h three consecutive inadequate smears referred for colposcopy to the Leices ter Royal Infirmary (LRI) were retrieved. Sixteen women underwent large loo p excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was identified in six cases. There were no cases of inadequ ate smears initiating the diagnosis in 100 consecutive women with invasive cervical cancer. Inadequate smears are associated with high rates of treatm ent for a low yield of GIN. To reduce morbidity associated with colposcopy it may be acceptable to repeat an inadequate smear after 6 months rather th an arranging immediate recall.