Editorial

HISTORY OF GYNECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY IN CROATIA

Silvana Audy-Jurković ; Institute of Cytology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Center, Medical School University of Zagreb, Croatia
Zvonimir Singer ; Unit for Cytology and Genetics, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital "Merkur", Medical School University of Zagreb, Croatia
Đurđica Šips ; Unit for Cytology and Genetics, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital "Merkur", Medical School University of Zagreb, Croatia
Teodora Stanković ; Institute of Cytology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Center, Medical School University of Rijeka, Croatia
Marija Pajtler ; Unit of Clinical Cytology, Clinical Hospital Osijek, Croatia
Ines Krivak Bolanča ; Unit for Cytology and Genetics, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital "Merkur", Medical School University of Zagreb, Croatia
Danijela Mozetič-Vrdoljak ; Institute of Cytology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Hospital Center, Medical School University of Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

In Croatia, like in the rest of Europe, gynecologists were the first to perform microscopic analysis of cervical cytological specimens. The first laboratory headed by E. Baršić, a gynecologist, was established in 1953 at University Department of Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, now University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Zagreb University Hospital Center. Jasna Ivić, MD was the first to devote exclusively to gynecologic cytology since 1959. In 1968, she was appointed Head of the Laboratory of cytology, which developed into Institute of Gynecological Cytology in 1984; Jasna Ivić organized cytology service in line with the principles adopted worldwide, and is most credited for the progress of gynecological cytology in Croatia. During the past fifty years, Institute of Gynecological Cytology in collaboration with other institutions, Department of Cytology and Clinical Genetics, University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Merkur University Hospital – Zagreb in particular, has stimulated continuous development of gynecological cytology in the professional, scientific and educational aspects in Croatia, while promoting due recognition of the Croatian gynecological cytology abroad. At the beginning of the third millenium, these efforts have also been intensified at Department of Gynecological Cytology, University Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rijeka University Hospital Center and Department of Clinical Cytology, Osijek University Hospital, which also became the leading laboratories in the field in Croatia. In the period 1967–1974 organized education of cytotechnologists (Continuing education course for cytotechnologists in 1968) and cytologists (Postgraduate Study in Medical Cytology in 1967 and respective independent residency in 1974, both subsequently renamed as Clinical Cytology) was established. Both played a key role in the development of clinical as well as gynecological Cytology in Croatia. According to the Croatian Society of Clinical Cytology of the Croatian Medical Association (CMA) survey in 2005 454 619 Pap tests were performed by 72 cytotechnologists and 50 cytologists in 33 laboratories. This potential of gynecological cytology is of decisive importance in the secondary prevention of cervical carcinoma through properly designed, organized and controlled national screening programme to be carried out in Croatia, which should include new methods, HPV typing before all.

Keywords

gynecologic cytology; history; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

23511

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/23511

Publication date:

1.12.2007.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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