Zaiba Sher.
Conventional Dilatation and Curettage; Still A useful procedure.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;7(1):27-30.

Background: A number of disposable plastic devices and hysteroscopes have nowadays been designed for outpatient endometrial sampling. This study was done to assess the efficacy of conventional dilatation and curettage as a diagnostic procedure in various gynaecological situations. Methods: This observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. The study period was from January 1998 to December 1998. A total of 320 patients were included. They were divided into four age groups (i) below 20 years (ii) 20-40 years (iii) 41 and above and (iv) postmenopausal age group. Variables considered were the various indications, analgesia/anaesthesia and complications. Success and safety of the procedure was determined by histological reports and absence of complications. Results: The major indication in 194 (60.2%) patients was abnormal uterine bleeding. Systemic intravenous analgesia was used in 164 (51.2%) patients. Peroperative complications occurred in 5 (1.56%) patients and 2(0.62`%) patients had postoperative complications. The efficacy of the method was as high as 97.5%. Conclusion: Conventional D&C is still a very useful & cost-effective method of detecting intra-uterine pathologies. Hysteroscopy is the only superior method.

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