Comparison of endometrial biopsy with the endometrial Pipelle and Vabra aspirator

Endometrial biopsy can be used to evaluate women at high risk for endometrial cancer and to follow women on hormone replacement therapy. Biopsy methods may produce enough pain, however, to lower patient acceptance. The Endometrial Pipelle is a new plastic endometrial suction curette that provides a histologic biopsy. This study compared the performance of the Pipelle to that of the Vabra aspirator, a widely accepted biopsy device. Endometrial sampling using both techniques was performed on 56 patients. Both instruments provided the correct diagnosis in 50 patients (89%). The Pipelle obtained more tissue than the Vabra in 28 patients (50%) and was noted by the clinician to cause less pain in 50 patients (89%). Forty-seven patients (84%) stated that biopsy with the Pipelle was less painful than with the Vabra. These results suggest that the Pipelle is as efficacious as the Vabra aspirator and has greater patient acceptability.