Dilation and curettage

From Free net encyclopedia

Dilation (dilatation) and curettage (D&C) or sharp curettage is a gynaecological procedure performed on the female reproductive system that used to be a common method of abortion. The procedure involves dilating the cervix and inserting instruments to clean out the lining of the uterus, which can include an embryo or 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 commonly performed to resolve abnormal uterine bleeding (too much, too often or too heavy a menstrual flow); 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); to remove uterine fibroids or other suspected abnormalities, such as premalignant cells in their uterine lining; and occasionally as a method of abortion.

Because medical and non-invasive methods of abortion now exist, and because D&C requires heavy sedation or general anesthesia and has higher risks of complication, the procedure has been declining as a method of abortion. The World Health Organization only recommends D&C as a method of abortion when manual vacuum aspiration is unavailable<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, D&C only accounted for 2.4% of abortions in the United States in the year 2002<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>, down from 23.4% in 1972<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>.

Three related procedures used for abortion are suction or vacuum aspiration, dilation and evacuation and 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.

[edit]