Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Apollo Hospitals Leaflet
Dilation and Curettage (DC) is a minor surgical procedure used to removed tissue from the uterus. The uterus is the organ at the top of the vagina. Babies develop in the uterus, and menstrual blood comes from the uteraus.
Dilation is performed to open and widen the cervix (entrance to the uterus). Curettage is used to remove tissue from inside the uterus.
When is DC used?
DC may be done to:
Treat abnormal bleeding from the uterus
Look for the cause of recurrent pelvic pain or unusual enlargement of the uterus
Remove polyps from the uterus
Remove an IUD
Remove pieces of placenta after childbirth
Remove a miscarriage (spontaneous abortion)
Perform an abortion
Remove incomplete, missed, or induced abortions
Check an abnormally shaped uterus
How should you prepare for DC?
Plan for your care and recovery after the DC procedure, especially if you are to have general anaesthesia. Arrange to have someone take you home and stay with you for a while after the procedure.
Allow for time to rest. Try to find people to help you with your daily duties for 24 hours after the procedure.
Follow any other instructions provided by your Consultant. If you are to have general anaesthesia, eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.
What happens during the procedure?
You are given a sedative or a regional or general anaesthetic. A sedative helps you relax. A regional anaesthetic numbs part of your body, preventing you from feeling pain while you remain awake. A general anaesthetic relaxes your muscles and causes a deep sleep. It will prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure.
Your Consultant stretches open (dilates) your cervix and guides a scoop-like instrument (a curette) into the uterus. Your Consultant uses the curette to scrape all around the lining of the uterus and remove tissue from your uterus. This tissue is usually sent to the lab for tests.
What happens after the procedure?
If there are no complications, you may go home a few hours after the procedure.
Expect some bleeding and menstrual- type cramps for the first day or so. Your Consultant may suggest a pain-medicine to relieve the discomfort. Women who are still having periods usually have their next period 2 to 6 weeks after the DC.
Do not place anything inside the vagina until your Consultant says it is safe. Do not use tampons for a few weeks after the DC. Follow your Consultants instructions about when you can have sexual intercourse.
Ask your Consultant what other steps you should take and
when you should come back for a check up.
What are the benefits of DC?
Removing the uterine contents and lining may help diagnose and treat your problem.
Testing this tissue may help your Consultant understand your condition and suggest further care.
Is hospital stay required for DC?
Patients are not required to stay in the hospital for a DC procedure. You can have the procedure and return home the same day. After the procedure, you can get admitted in our Day Care Unit and receive the benefits of availing our in-patient facilities.
Call your Consultant right
away if:
You have heavy bleeding from your uterus (you need more than one pad or tampon per hour, or the bleeding is heavier than your menstrual flow)
You develop a fever over 100F
You have severe abdominal pain or abdominal pain that continues even after you take acetaminophen or aspirin
You have a foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
You may also call your Consultant if you have questions about the procedure or its result, or if you want to make another appointment.n
Source: Apollo Hospitals Leaflet
