Endometrial assessment procedures: an audit of current practice in Scotland

Abstract

The objective was to determine, in relation to endometrial assessment procedures, the extent to which the current practice of gynaecologists in Scotland (as assessed both by questionnaire survey of clinicians and review of hospital records) accords with recommendations in recent evidence-based guidelines. All 132 consultant gynaecologists in Scotland were surveyed and 123 (93%) responded. In addition, the case records of 1199 consecutive women undergoing endometrial assessment procedures in 12 representative hospitals were reviewed. Over two thirds of consultants agreed that endometrial assessment procedures are seldom indicated in women aged under 40 years and over 80% agreed that when such procedures are indicated, outpatient endometrial biopsy represents the method of choice. However, the review of case records showed that 23% of the women who underwent endometrial assessment were aged under 40 years and only 44% of the procedures undertaken were out-patient endometrial biopsies. We conclude that some Scottish women may be undergoing endometrial assessment procedures unnecessarily and that, in some centres, traditional dilatation and curettage is being replaced by hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic in theatre although there is no evidence that this procedure provides more clinically useful information than out-patient endometrial biopsy.