The Leicester Endometrial Needle Sampler: a novel device for endometrial and myometrial junctional zone biopsy

A 48-cm-long, fine (16 gauge) needle was purpose-built to our design for full-thickness endometrial sampling. It is driven by a high-speed cutting device that has a two-step action-loaded spring, and is adjusted to a penetration depth of 16 mm. Pain and tolerance were assessed on a visual analogue scale. The histologic diagnosis obtained by this device, the Leicester Endometrial Needle Sampler, was compared with that of Pipelle endometrial sampling in 40 patients at the end of panoramic hysteroscopy under local anesthesia. The patients' mean age was 51 years (range 39-60) and the mean parity was 2.4 (range 0-6). The mean (+/-standard deviation) pain score was 3.7 +/- 2.2 and the mean tolerability score was 4.4 +/- 3.6. The technique helped to procure a full-thickness endometrial biopsy in all cases, from targeted areas including the myometrial junctional zone, with 100% efficiency.