Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Question: If the transformation zone is lacking in a Pap smear, does that necessarily mean that it is unsatisfactory?

Iowa Subscriber

Answer: In most cases, a Pap smear that fails to sample the transformation zone would be considered unsatisfactory -- but not always.

In fact, ICD-9 2009 introduces a new code for cases when the Pap involves a satisfactory smear without the transformation zone. The code is 795.07 (Satisfactory cervical smear but lacking transformation zone).

The transformation zone changes position in response to a woman's hormonal changes. A woman who is postmenopausal may have no endocervical cells in the transformation zone. But based on her postmenopausal status, the Pap smear would still be satisfactory.

Avoid this: Don't report every Pap smear that lacks the transformation zone as an unsatisfactory smear (795.08, Unsatisfactory cervical cytology smear).