Welcome to AccessAtlanta!

Uterine scraping (dilatation and curettage: D and C) is a fairly minor surgical procedure. The procedure may be performed in the hospital or in a clinic using general or local anesthesia.

The vaginal canal is held open by a speculum, and the opening to the uterus (cervix) may be anesthetized. The cervical canal is widened (dilated) using a metal rod, and a curette (a metal loop on the end of a long, thin handle) is then passed through the canal into the uterine cavity. The inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) is scraped away, and the tissue is collected for examination.

Indications

Uterine scraping (D and C) may be done to:

Diagnose conditions using the tissue samples collected (biopsies)
Treat irregular or heavy bleeding
Remove fetal or placental tissue -- used for some elective or therapeutic abortions and to remove any remaining tissue after a spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)

Uterine scraping (D and C) may be recommended for:

Bleeding between periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Bleeding after intercourse
Investigation of infertility
Endometrial polyps
Uterine cancer (early diagnosis)
Thickening of the uterus (endometrial hyperplasia )
An embedded IUD (intrauterine device)
Theraputic or elective abortion
Miscarriage
Postmenopausal bleeding, or abnormal bleeding while taking hormone replacement therapy medications