Dilation and curettage

Dilation (dilatation) and curettage (D&C) is a gynaecologicalprocedure performed on the female reproductive system, often as a form of abortion. The procedure involves dilating the cervixand inserting instruments to clean out the lining of the uterus, which can include an embryoor fetus, while the woman is under an anaesthetic. A curettage is performed with a curette, a metal rod with a handle on one end and a sharp loop on the other.

D&Cs are most commonly performed for the purposes of abortion, but this is far from the only reason. Other typical reasons for a D&C are to resolve abnormal uterine bleeding (too much, too often or too heavy a menstrualflow); to remove the excess uterine lining in women who have conditions such as PCOS(which cause a prolonged buildup of tissue with no natural period to remove it); and to remove uterine fibroidsor other suspected abnormalities, such as premalignant cells in their uterine lining.

Two related procedures used for abortion are dilation and evacuationand dilation and extraction, the latter of which is also known non-medically as partial-birth abortion.

If the procedure is performed too roughly, scar tissue may form and seal the uterus shut (Asherman's syndrome), resulting in infertility.

External link

• HOWTO: Perform the Dilation & Curettage Surgical Procedureby "ti_dave", March 24th, 2004. Article and discussion published on Kuro5hin.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilation+and+curettage Wikipedia article Dilation and curettage.