Dilation and Curettage
Surgery to open the cervix and put a thin instrument into the uterus, known as dilation and curettage (D&C). Removes tissue from the uterus with this device (curettage).
About dilatation and curettage (D&C)
The uterine lining is scraped away during a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. To widen the womb's cervix (or neck), a device known as a dilator is used. Endometrium (uterine lining) and/or uterine contents are extracted and may be submitted to a lab for testing if necessary.
Reasons why D&C is necessary
Among the conditions for which D&C can be utilized as a diagnostic tool or a therapeutic tool are the following:
- Infections in the uterus are examined.
- An abortion that is not terminated (miscarriage)
- Suction assisted surgical abortion
- Abortion caused by insufficient medicine
- Female infertility studies
D&C is a diagnostic tool that can be used to identify certain medical disorders. Your long-term prognosis is largely determined by your medical history and the extent to which surgery is required.
Follow-up appointments will be set up by your doctor depending on what caused your D&C as well as how well it went. The findings of your laboratory tests (if any) will be communicated to you by your physician as soon as they are available.