Sterile Ayre Spatula for Cervical Cell Collection

Ayre Spatula

• Purpose: Designed to collect cells from the cervix for cytological examination, primarily in cervical cancer screening procedures.​

• Features:

  • Material: Traditionally made of wood, but plastic versions with narrow long tips have been developed to improve sample adequacy. ​
  • Design: One end is shaped to sample the ectocervix, and the other end is designed for the endocervical canal.​Usage:
  • Procedure: Inserted into the cervical os and rotated 360 degrees to collect cells from the cervix's surface and the lower third of the cervical canal. ​
  • Sample Handling: Collected cells are typically smeared onto a glass slide and fixed immediately for cytological analysis.

• Considerations:

  • Alternative Devices: Studies have shown that plastic spatulas with narrow long tips provide higher rates of satisfactory smears compared to traditional Ayre spatulas.
  • Combination with Cytobrush: Using an Ayre spatula in conjunction with a cytobrush has been found to improve the adequacy of Pap smears by ensuring the collection of endocervical cells. ​