Removal of endometrial polyps by use of grasping forceps and curettage after diagnostic hysteroscopy.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To determine the therapeutic efficacy of the use of gall stone forceps and curettage in endometrial polyps removal, after their detection with diagnostic hysteroscopy.

METHODS

From 1997 to 2001, we conducted a prospective study in 53 patients who presented at our department for menstrual disorders, infertility problems or postmenopausal bleeding and in whom endometrial polyps were detected by hysteroscopy. All patients received general anesthesia and after hysteroscopic detection of the polyps' location, their removal was attempted by use of Desjardins gall stone forceps and curettage. Immediately after the procedure, a second hysteroscopy was performed in order to detect remnants of the polyps.

RESULTS

Fifty patients presented with only one polyp, two with two polyps and one with three polyps. The mean diameter of the polyps ranged from 0.5 to 3 cm. The hysteroscopic appearance of all polyps was not suggestive of malignancy. During the second hysteroscopy we found parts or whole polyps in five and two cases, respectively, accounting for a therapeutic success of 86.8%. The hospitalization time for all patients was 24 hours and occurred no intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Our method seems to be safe, with low cost and sufficient therapeutic outcome and could be used in hospitals with availability of diagnostic hysteroscopy only.