[Cytological investigations of the endometrium using the jet wash technique (author's transl)]

In 182 cases the jet wash technique proved very suitable in the detection of malignant changes in the endometrium. It should in no way replace the curettage as a diagnostic tool. The jet wash offers the possibility of a regular endometrial investigation to larger numbers of patients. Those to be considered in particular are 1. symptom-free women with an increased risk of carcinoma of the body of the uterus, i.e. women over 40 with obesity, hypertension and diabetes mellitus, 2. patients with recurrent bleeding who have already had a curettage with negative histological results, 3. primary irradiated endometrial carcinoma patients in order to detect a recurrence early, 4. patients who pose a high anaesthetic risk. The exact detection reliability of the endometrial jet wash technique remains uncertain until results of larger investigation series are published. Good experience up to now with the jet wash technique should stimulate its wider use.