|  | Conditions Treatments | Illness

Reasons for a D&C

A D&C, or dilation and curettage, is a surgical procedure for women. The D&C process is two steps: dilation, which enlarges the uterus; and curettage, in which a sharp, spoon-shaped instrument known as a curette, or curet, scrapes the lining. According to the Mayo Clinic, a D&C may be used during the diagnosis or treatment of a uterine condition.

  1. The Procedure

    • The D&C surgical procedure is done in order to take tissue samples for a variety of medical tests or therapeutic purposes. Generally performed as an outpatient procedure, the D&C can be done in a doctor's office, clinic or hospital. One of three types of anesthesia will be used based on your medical history and the reason for the D&C. General anesthesia is administered through a breathing mask or intravenous catheter; regional anesthesia is injected into the area around the spinal cord; and a local anesthesia is injected directly in and around the cervix. Both the regional and local anesthesia may include a sedative given through an IV. After the cervix is sufficiently opened, the doctor begins the process of removing tissue. The entire procedure takes approximately 15-30 minutes, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Diagnostic Purposes

    • A diagnostic D&C may be requested by your doctor to determine the cause of a medical condition, according to the Mayo Clinic. This may be done if a patient experiences a painful menstrual cycle, bleeding after menopause, or any other abnormal uterine bleeding. A diagnostic D&C will check for uterine polyps or cancer, or a precancerous condition causing a thickening of the uterus known as endometrial hyperplasia. Additionally, if a routine test for cervical cancer shows abnormal endometrial cells, your doctor may request a D&C.

    Treatment Purposes

    • A therapeutic D&C is used to remove the contents of the uterus and is done for treatment of a variety of health conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. This includes the removal of benign fibroid tumors and uterine or cervical polyps, as well as removing a molar pregnancy, when a tumor forms as an abnormal placenta. A therapeutic D&C may also be done after delivery to eliminate placenta remaining in the uterus, or to clear out remaining tissue in the case of a miscarriage or abortion.

    As an Adjunct

    • A D&C is often performed as an adjunct to another medical procedure called a hysteroscopy, according to the Mayo Clinic. The hysteroscopy procedure uses an instrument equipped with a camera and a light. It is inserted into the uterus so it can be seen on a screen. Samples are taken of any tissue appearing abnormal. The hysteroscopy is used with a D&C to be sure symptoms are not being caused by uterine cancer.

    Limited Uses

    • While the D&C was commonly performed as recently as a decade ago, the procedure is no longer widely used. This is due to improvements in diagnostic testing, such as ultrasound and hysteroscopy, as well nonsurgical hormonal or anti-hormonal therapies, according to the eMedicine website.

Illness - Related Articles