title: Endometrial biopsies using small-diameter hysteroscopes and 5F instruments: how can we obtain enough material for a correct histologic diagnosis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the quantity of biopsy tissue obtained by hysteroscopic grasp technique compared with classic punch technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand two hundred seventy-six women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Targeted biopsies performed in an office setting using two biopsy forceps, classic spoon and crocodile, and two methods, classic punch and grasp technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With either biopsy forceps, the mean increase in amount of tissue obtained by grasp technique compared with punch technique was statistically significant (p <0.005). With grasp technique, the mean amount of tissue obtained was even larger with crocodile than with spoon forceps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Targeted biopsy, when performed with the appropriate instrument and applying correct technique, can provide the pathologist with a large amount of tissue (mean 5.7 mm2) that is invariably adequate for histologic examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Specialist Surgical Sciences, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology A, University of Bari Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bettocchi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Venere
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pansini
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Pansini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santamato
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ceci
mesh_terms: D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020702:Hysteroscopes; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000473:pathology*