Diagnostic and curative value of uterine curettage

One hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients admitted for curettage because of irregular uterine bleeding were classified preoperatively as having postmenopausal bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding, menorrhagia, or metrorrhagia. They were followed up at 3 and 9 months after curettage with regard to diagnosis and cure. Fifty-seven per cent were cured; the lowest curative effect was found in patients suffering from menorrhagia. An etiological diagnosis was made in 90 patients; in the menorrhagia and postmenopausal groups, the lowest diagnostic value was found. Next to the histological report basal body temperature measurement was the best test to determine the etiology of the irregular uterine bleeding; hormone analyses and coagulation factors revealed the etiology in only a few cases. Intrauterine diseases were not diagnosed in patients below the age of 35 and it is suggested that curettage should not be used as first treatment in these patients.