Comparison of cytospat and pipelle endometrial biopsy instruments.
OBJECTIVE
To compare two endometrial biopsy techniques, based on the quality of material obtained, cost effectiveness, and pain during the procedure.


METHODS
A single blind, randomized prospective study.


RESULTS
A total of 365 women with peri/postmenopausal bleeding were randomized into two groups: 174 biopsied cytospat (C) and 191 biopsied with pipelle (P). Both procedures were then followed by either dilatation and curettage (D&C) or hysterectomy. Pain was evaluated in 379 patients, with the result being better tolerance for P vs. C (3.55 vs. 4.06, P = 0.07). With C, the sensitivity in histological evaluation was 82% for benign endometrium, 60% for endometrial hyperplasia and 60% for corpus uterine neoplasia as compared to the D&C and hysterectomy material. With P the sensitivity was 84, 71 and 60%, respectively for the three diagnoses, as compared to the D&C and hysterectomy material. Insufficient tissue for pathologic evaluation was present in 24% of C, 25% of P and 9.8% of D&C samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Cost effectiveness for pipelle is slightly higher than for Cytospat.
Antoni
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Consorci Hospitalari Parc Taulí, Barcelona, Spain.
Folch
E
E
Costa
J
J
Foradada
C M
CM
Cayuela
E
E
Combalia
N
N
Rué
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004107:Dilatation and Curettage; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology