The Vabra aspirator versus the Pipelle device for outpatient endometrial sampling.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effectiveness of the Vabra aspirator and the Pipelle device as an outpatient endometrial assessment tool.


METHODS
This was a randomised, prospective trial conducted for a period of one year.


RESULTS
A total of 147 patients were recruited, of which 71 were in the Vabra group and 76 were in the Pipelle arm. The procedure success rate in the Pipelle group was significantly higher than the Vabra arm (98.7 vs 88.7%, P=0.02). Adequate tissue yield was also significantly more in the Pipelle arm (73.3 vs 52.4%, P=0.02). Cost-benefit analysis revealed a higher average cost per patient in the Vabra group compared to the Pipelle arm.


CONCLUSIONS
This study proved that the Vabra aspirator was not as effective as the Pipelle device in obtaining endometrial tissue for histological diagnosis. Despite its higher price per unit, the Pipelle device was a more cost-effective tool for outpatient endometrial assessment.
Naim
Norzilawati M
NM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. norzila@mail.hukm.ukm.my
Mahdy
Zaleha A
ZA
Ahmad
Shuhaila
S
Razi
Zainul Rashid M
ZR
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008796:Metrorrhagia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies