D & C

Dilation and Curettage (D & C) is a minor surgical procedure often performed on women to diagnose and treat certain conditions related to the uterus. It involves dilating the cervix and scraping the uterine lining with a curette.

Procedure

The D & C procedure is typically performed under anesthesia. The cervix is dilated using a series of progressively larger dilators. Once the cervix is sufficiently dilated, a curette is inserted into the uterus to scrape away the uterine lining. The tissue removed is often sent to a lab for examination.

Uses

D & C is used for a variety of reasons. It can be used to diagnose conditions such as uterine cancer or endometrial hyperplasia, to treat conditions such as polyps or fibroids, or to remove tissue following a miscarriage or abortion.

Risks

While D & C is generally considered safe, it does carry some risks. These can include infection, hemorrhage, perforation of the uterus, and scarring of the uterine lining.

Alternatives

There are several alternatives to D & C, including hysteroscopy, endometrial biopsy, and medical abortion.

See Also

• Hysteroscopy
• Endometrial biopsy
• Medical abortion