title: Histopathologic adequacy of office endometrial biopsies taken with the Z-sampler and Novak curette in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
abstract: This study compared the adequacy of office endometrial biopsies taken with the Novak curette and a disposable, flexible polypropylene biopsy device, the Z-sampler, in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Between September 1988 and November 1991, 407 women had paired office endometrial biopsies with the Z-sampler followed by the Novak curette. Overall, 83.0% of endometrial biopsies obtained with the Z-sampler were adequate for histopathologic diagnosis as compared to 84.5% obtained with the Novak curette (P = .53). In 181 (44.5%) premenopausal women, 94.5% of Z-sampler biopsies were adequate as compared to 95.6% of Novak curette biopsies (P = .80). In 226 (55.6%) post-menopausal women, 73.9% of Z-sampler biopsies were adequate as compared to 75.7% of Novak curette biopsies (P = .66). The Z-sampler biopsies were adequate in 94.5% of premenopausal women as compared to 73.9% of postmenopausal women (P < .0001). The Novak curette biopsies were adequate in 95.6% of premenopausal women as compared to 75.7% of post-menopausal women (P < .001). While we did not demonstrate a significant difference in the adequacy of endometrial samples taken with the Z-sampler and Novak curette in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, postmenopausal women had a significantly lower rate of adequate samples obtained with either device as compared to premenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marshfield Clinic, WI 54449-5777.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Broste
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D014619:Vacuum Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation*