Critical assessment of dilatation and curettage in 1029 women
Mackenzie, I.Z.; Bibby, J.G.
Lancet 2(8089): 566-568
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 79928 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)92895-7Document Number: 436174
Of 1029 dilatation-and-curettage operations carried out in a 12 mo. period, more than 1/2 were in women aged under 40, and 38% were for menstrual disturbances. The yield of intrauterine disease in these groups was low. Curettage for postmenopausal bleeding or discharge in 150 women detected 15 endometrial carcinomas and a similar number of other endometrial lesions. The complication rate resulting from curettage was 1.7%, i.e., equivalent to the overall rate of detection of endometrial carcinoma. Selection of patients submitted to uterine curettage could be better, but postmenopausal bleeding remains an indication for mandatory uterine curettage.