[The value of curettage in the assessment of abnormal uterine bleeding]

Current practice of investigating abnormal uterine bleeding via dilatation and curettage is sometimes open to question, and outpatient procedures are emphasised. The therapeutic effect of curettage in normalising menstrual patterns is being discussed. In a prospective study we answered the question of diagnostic and therapeutic effects of curettage. Over a period of 6 months, all patients with curettage treated in our department were investigated (history, risk factors, previous hormonal treatment, preoperative haemoglobin value, type of anaesthesia, complications, histology). Curettages performed for the purpose of abortion, as well as in combination with conisation of the uterine cervix, were not included in the study. 234 curettages were carried out. Clinical indications were as follows: in 29% of the cases recurrent preclimacteric metrorrhagia, in 27% climacteric metrorrhagia, in 24% PMB (postmenopausal bleeding). In 19 cases we found an Hb value lower than 10.5 g%. Risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus) for endometrial cancer were found in 38% of MB and in 20% of climacteric metrorrhagia. In 9 cases, the histological diagnosis was endometrial cancer (clinical indications: 5 PMB, 3 climacteric metrorrhagia, 1 recurrent preclimacteric metrorrhagia). Our study shows, that the indication for curettage should be applied generously, especially in cases of abnormal postmenopausal and perimenopausal bleeding.