Gynaecology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Gynaecology, including details on pap smears, laparoscopy, ultrasound, hysteroscopy. | ||||||||
|
Auditing the use of colposcopy versus general gynecology clinics to investigate women with postcoital or intermenstrual bleeding: a case for a new outpatient service.Harry VN, Cruickshank ME, Parkin DE Department of Gynecological Oncology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. v.harry@abdn.ac.uk OBJECTIVE: The aim of this audit was to determine whether initial referral to a general gynecology clinic (GOPD) or a colposcopy clinic is the most efficient means of managing women with postcoital (PCB) or intermenstrual (IMB) bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective audit of women with PCB or IMB was conducted. Sixty referrals from primary care were note-logged and alternatively allocated to either clinic. Data were collected by case note review. RESULTS: Sixty women were referred for abnormal bleeding, 33 (55%) of which were seen at the GOPD and 27 (45%) at the colposcopy clinic. Investigations included Chlamydia testing, which was deficient in both settings, whereas ultrasound scans and hysteroscopies were performed in 9% of patients attending the GOPD compared with none in the colposcopy clinic. The most common finding at the GOPD was cervical ectopy in 14 (42%) patients. No abnormality was found in 9 (28%) patients. At colposcopy, 14 (52%) had no abnormality detected, whereas 8 (30%) had cervical ectopy and 3 (11%) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. There were no cases of malignancy found in this study. CONCLUSION: Most patients with PCB and IMB will not have a serious abnormality. Our study proposes that a new PCB/IMB outpatient service can improve the efficiency of treatment of these women by providing appropriate guidelines to standardize their care. Published 6 April 2007 in J Low Genit Tract Dis, 11(2): 108-11.
© 2005-2008 Gynaecology Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
