DILATION AND CURETTAGE (D&C)

Dilation and curettage, also known as D&C, is a procedure that is done to remove excess tissue from the insides of the uterus. This procedure is usually done to treat and diagnose abnormal menstrual bleeding, heavy bleeding or after a miscarriage or abortion.

In this procedure, the doctor uses a small instrument to open up your cervix while also giving medications. The doctor then uses a think instrument known as a curette to remove excess tissues inside the uterus. The curette may be sharp or may act as suction.

There are two types of curettage:

• Sharp curettage means that the doctor uses a sharp instrument known as a curette to scoop up or scrape the tissues in the uterus
• Suction curettage means that the doctor uses suction to remove excess tissues inside the uterus.

Dilation and curettage is used to diagnose the following conditions:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Bleeding after menopause
• Abnormal endometrial cells during a routine test for cervical cancer
• Endometrial hyperplasia
• Uterine polyps
• Uterine cancer

Dilation and curettage is used to remove the contents of the uterus. It may treat the following:

• Miscarriage
• Abortion
• Molar pregnancy
• Excessive bleeding
• Placenta retention in the uterus
• Cervical or uterine polyps