D&C | |
Background | |
---|---|
Abortion type | Surgical |
First use | Late 19th century |
Gestation | 4–12 weeks |
Usage | |
WHO recommends only when manual vacuum aspiration is unavailable | |
United States | 1.7% (2003) |
Medical notes | |
Undertaken under heavy sedation or general anesthesia. Risk of perforation. Day-case procedure | |
Infobox references |
Dilation (or dilatation) and curettage (D&C) refers to the dilation (widening or opening) of the cervix and surgical removal of sections and or layers of the lining of the uterus and or contents of the uterus such as an unwanted fetus (early abortion before 13 weeks), remains of a non viable fetus, retained placenta after birth or abortion as well as any abnormal tissue which may be in the uterus causing abnormal cycles by scraping and scooping (curettage). It is a gynecologic procedure used for treatment and removal as well as diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and is the most commonly used method for first trimester abortion or miscarriage.[1][2][3][4]
D&C normally refers to a procedure involving a curette, also called sharp curettage.[2] However, some sources use the term D&C to refer 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.[5]