[Fractionated curettage without uterine specimen. What to do?]

In 143 (1.2%) out of 12,357 curettages from 1970 to 1982 we could not get specimens from the corpus. In 7 cases cervix curettage showed suspect tissue therefore no corpus curettage has been done. In 4 cases the corpus uteri has been perforated. Indication was postmenopausal bleeding in 119 patients. In 50 per cent the gynaecologist was to timorous because of a length of more than 7 cm. In 5% a carcinoma of corpus uteri could be found within one year. In 42 per cent the cause of not having specimens was an atrophic uterus. Altogether we had 4% carcinomas of the corpus uteri in the sample. In 80 per cent of the postmenopausal bleedings a control examination within 6 to 8 weeks detected the malignancy. Therefore a D & C for exclusion of carcinoma is to be estimated as an incomplete one, if there is no tissue from the corpus. A control is necessary principally.