Dilation and curettage

Dilation and curettage

Dilation and curettage: Dilation and curettage involves dilating the cervix and cutting tissue from the uterine walls to remove uterine cancer, a retained placenta, and to terminate an unwanted pregnancy in the second trimester (13 to 15 weeks from conception).

Diseases And Conditions Treated: Dilation and curettage

These diseases and conditions may be treated with the surgical procedure Dilation and curettage:

• Uterine cancer
• Miscarriage
• Heavy menstrual bleeding (see Heavy periods)
• Diagnostic for infertility
• Endometrial polyps (type of Polyp)
• Embedded intrauterine device (IUD)
• Postmenopausal bleeding
• Irregular bleeding (see Bleeding symptoms)
• Retained placenta
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Unwanted pregnancy in the second trimester
• Pregnancy that threatens mother's life in the second trimester

Anesthetic Requirements for Dilation and curettage

These surgical anesthetic requirements for the procedure Dilation and curettage may include:

• Regional (paracervical) or general anesthesia

Procedure Complications: Dilation and curettage

Possible surgical complications of Dilation and curettage may include:

• Nausea
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Damage to the uterus
• Damage to the cervix
• Scarring of the uterus
• Cramping

Prognosis for a Good Outcome: Dilation and curettage

The prognosis for a good medical outcome: The prognosis is excellent.

Dilation and curettage: Recovery Time

Recovery period for Dilation and curettage: One to two days.

Descriptions of Dilation and curettage

Dilation and curettage: D&C. A procedure to remove tissue from the cervical canal or the inner lining of the uterus. The cervix is dilated (made larger) and a curette (spoon-shaped instrument) is inserted into the uterus to remove tissue. Also called dilatation and curettage.
Source: National Institute of Health

Dilation and curettage: a surgical procedure usually performed under local anesthesia in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrial lining of the uterus is scraped with a curet; performed to obtain tissue samples or to stop prolonged bleeding or to remove small tumors or to remove fragments of placenta after childbirth or as a method of abortion
Source: WordNet 2.1

Dilation and curettage: Other Names

Other names for this medical surgical procedures (Dilation and curettage) include:

• D & C
• D and C
• Dilatation and curettage
• Uterus scraping
• Evacuation of retained products of conception
• Suction curettage
• Vacuum aspiration
• Surgical abortion

More Surgery Topics

Common bile duct exploration
 » Next page: Dilation and evacuation

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com