Comparison of three biopsy forceps for hysteroscopic endometrial biopsy in postmenopausal patients (HYGREB-1): A multicenter, single-blind randomized clinical trial

Objective To compare three types of biopsy forceps for hysteroscopic endometrial biopsy in postmenopausal women.Methods Postmenopausal women undergoing operative hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy for abnormal uterine bleeding or endometrial thickness (>= 5 mm) were included. Operative hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy was performed by hysteroscopic forceps. Women were randomized (1:1:1 ratio) in three groups and allocated to undergo endometrial biopsy by hysteroscopy using spoon, alligator, or snake forceps.Results Seventy-five women were included in the study, 25 in each group. The duration of the biopsy was comparable between the three groups (P = 0.334) with a median of 180 seconds (range 20-480 seconds). No differences were observed about the number of attempts (P = 0.602), the use of another instrument (P = 0.276), and the biopsy appropriateness (P = 0.592). The spoon forceps group reported higher levels of pain compared to the alligator and snake forceps groups (P < 0.001). The spoon forceps received significantly lower scores by the operator compared to the alligator and snake forceps (P < 0.001). The alligator and snake forceps reported wider biopsy than the spoon forceps (P < 0.001).Conclusion Snake and alligator hysteroscopic forceps may be considered the first choice to perform an endometrial biopsy in postmenopausal women.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03427957.