Are Papanicolaou smears enough? Acetic acid washes of the cervix as adjunctive therapy: a HARNET study. Harrisburg Area Research Network.

Abstract

Using a 1-minute 5% acetic acid wash improves the detection of cervical disease by 30%. Consideration should be given to augmenting the Papanicolaou smear with this safe, simple, and effective technique on premenopausal women during regular health maintenance examinations.