A Clinical and cost evaluation between outpatient endometrial biopsy and dilatation and curettage

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical and financial benefits of endometrial aspiration biopsy using a new aspiration device (Probet) over conventional dilatation and curettage. Design Comparison of histology and adequacy of samples obtained by endometrial aspiration and formal curettage. The histopathologist was blinded with regard to the biopsy method. Setting The gynaecology outpatient department of a teaching hospital. Patients 52 consecutive women requiring dilatation and curettage (D and C). Interventions Endometrial aspiration was performed in the out patient department and conventional D and C performed within 3 days. Main outcome measures Degree of discomfort to patients during endometrial aspiration was assessed by a visual analogue scale. Histological adequacy of the endometrial samples obtained was determined. The histological diagnosis of samples obtained by the two methods was passed. Cost of the two methods was determined. Results Eight patients experienced moderate to severe discomfort during endometrial aspiration. These were done for investigation of subfertility (2) and postmenopausal bleeding (6). Scanty or no endometrial aspirate was obtained in 9 women, 6 of whom had postmenopausal bleeding. No curettings were obtained in 5 of the women with postmenopausal bleeding. Active bleeding was present at the time of the procedure in 5 patients which was reported as blood clot and menstrual endometrium. In only 2 of the paired endometrial samples did the histological diagnosis differ from the specimen obtained by endometrial aspiration. Histological concordance was noted in 30 pairs. Conclusions Outpatient endometrial biopsy is acceptable to the majority of patients. Nulliparous and postmenopausal woman feel discomfort. Endometrial biopsy in the presence of active bleeding is of little value. There is good histological concordance between samples from endometrial aspiration is as ten times cheaper than conventional curettage