UTERINE HISTO‐PATHOLOGY IN PATIENTS FITTED WITH PLASTIC INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

To study the short-term histopathological effects of plastic intrauterine devices on the endometrium 4 patients scheduled for hysterectomy because of dysfunctional uterine bleeding had IUDs inserted preoperatively and curettage material was obtained from 4 patients with IUDs who were undergoing salpingectomy for permanent sterilization. Minimal tissue reaction was noted in the endometrium or myometrium of all patients except for mild surface inflammatory reaction at the site of pressure. In the hysterectomy specimens capillary dilatation with microscopic hemorrhage and thrombosis and stromal edema were also seen and stromal edema was again seen in 8 of the curettage cases. It was concluded that the short-term effect of plastic IUDs on the endometrial tissue is minimal.