Type of Surgery

Information

Doctor Certified

Last updated: 11/24/2009

Risks

The primary risk after the procedure is infection. If a woman experiences any of the following symptoms, she should report them immediately to her doctor, who can treat the infection with antibiotics:

  • fever
  • heavy bleeding
  • severe...

    cramps
  • foul-smelling vaginal discharge

D & C is a surgical operation that has certain risks associated with general anesthesia such as pulmonary aspiration and failed intubation. Rare complications include perforation of the uterus (which usually heals on its own) or puncture of the bowel or bladder (which requires further surgery to repair).

Extensive scarring of the uterus may occur after over-aggressive scraping during D & C, leading to a condition called Asherman's syndrome. The major symptoms of Asherman's syndrome are light or absent menstrual periods, infertility, and recurrent miscarriages. Scar tissue can be removed with surgery in most women, although approximately 20–30% of women will remain infertile after treatment.



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This 2D animation shows what occurs during a dilation and curettage. This procedure, referred to as a D & C, is a way in which gynecologists and gynecological surgeons can both diagnose and treat diseases of the endometrium (interior lining of the uterus).

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For a D & C, the patient lies on her back, and a weighted retractor is placed in the vagina (A). A dilator is used to open the cervix (B), and a curette is used to scrape the inside of the uterus (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.) For a D & C, the patient lies on her back, and a weighted retractor is placed in the vagina (A). A dilator is used to open the cervix (B), and a curette is used to scrape the inside of the uterus (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)




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Other Information

Dilation (dilatation) and curettage literally refers to the dilation (opening) of the cervix and surgical removal of the contents of the uterus. It is a therapeutic gynecological procedure as well as a rarely used method of first trimester abortion. It is commonly referred to as a D&C.

D&C normally refers to a procedure involving a curette, also called sharp curettage. However, some sources use the term D&C to refer more generally to any procedure that involves the processes of dilation and removal of uterine contents, which includes the more common suction curettage procedures of manual and electric vacuum aspiration.


From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilation_and_curettage

Other Information

An obstetrician/gynecologist, commonly abbreviated as OB/GYN, can serve as a primary physician and often serve as consultants to other physicians.


From: womenshealthchannel.com

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