Outpatient endometrial sampling with the pipelle curette

This study compares outpatient endometrial sampling using the Pipelle endometrial sampling curette with conventional dilation and curettage (D…C) in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Endometrial sampling with the Pipelle curette was performed in 172 and D…C in 97 women. No complications were encountered with either of these procedures. One hundred and seventy (98.8%) of the Pipelle aspirations attempted were successfully completed. Sufficient material for histological assessment was obtained in 154 (90.6%) of the women who underwent Pipelle endometrial sampling and in only 66 (68%) of those who underwent D…C (p < 0.0001). In postmenopausal women, adequate specimens were obtained in 74 of 88 (84.1 %) by Pipelle and in only 22 of 48 (45.8%) by D…C. In 45 cases the histologic diagnosis of the endometrium obtained by Pipelle sampling was compared with the one of endometrium obtained by D…C or hysterectomy performed shortly thereafter. The diagnosis was identical in 43 (95.5%) cases. Endometrial sampling with the Pipelle was well tolerated causing occasionally only slight discomfort.