A dilation and curettage is also called a “D & C” or “D
and C.” It’s a minor surgery that involves dilating or opening the cervix.
The cervix is the
opening to your uterus or womb. After dilating your cervix, your doctor uses a
spoon-shaped object called a curette to
remove tissue from the inner lining of your uterus.The procedure occurs in a doctor’s office, a women’s health clinic, a day surgery center, or a hospital.
There are many reasons that a doctor might order this procedure. The most common reasons are:
- to determine the reason for heavy bleeding during or between your menstrual periods
- to remove non-cancerous tumors, or fibroids
- to remove and examine potentially cancerous tumors
- to remove infected tissue, which is often caused by a sexually transmitted disease called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- to remove tissue left behind in the womb after miscarriage or childbirth
- to perform an elective abortion
- to remove an intrauterine device (IUD), which is a form of birth control
Dilation curettage is usually very safe, and complications are rare. However, there are risks. These include:
-
Perforation of the uterus. Perforation of the
uterus occurs when a surgical instrument pokes a hole in the uterus.
This happens more often in women who were recently pregnant and in women
who have gone through menopause.
Most perforations heal on their own. However, if a blood vessel or other organ is damaged, a second procedure may be necessary to repair it.
- Damage to the cervix. If the cervix is torn during the D&C, your doctor can apply pressure or medicine to stop the bleeding, or can close the wound with stitches (sutures).
-
Scar tissue on the uterine wall. Rarely, a
D&C results in development of scar tissue in the uterus, a condition
known as Asherman's syndrome. Asherman's syndrome happens most often
when the D&C is done after a miscarriage or delivery.
This can lead to abnormal, absent or painful menstrual cycles, future miscarriages and infertility.
- Infection. Infection after a D&C is possible, but rare.
- Bleeding that's heavy enough that you need to change pads every hour
- Fever
- Cramps lasting more than 48 hours
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
