What is cervical dilation and curettage for?

This is an automatically translated article.

Cervical dilation is a procedure to widen the cervix. Uterine curettage is the insertion of a thin spatula into the uterine cavity to remove some of the uterine lining, which is then tested. This procedure is often indicated to treat abnormalities in the uterus.

1. Dilation of the cervix and curettage of the uterus

Cervical dilation and curettage has the English name "Dilation and Curettage", and is often referred to as Dilation and curettage (D&C). This is a surgical procedure that widens (dilates) the cervix and inserts a thin instrument into the uterine cavity to remove cells from the lining of the uterus (reducing). The cell sample of the uterus is then examined under a microscope to identify abnormalities, if any.
Answering the question "What is cervical dilation and curettage for?", doctors believe that this procedure is conducted to diagnose and treat many diseases related to the uterus, such as such as:
Abnormal uterine bleeding ; Bleeding in postmenopausal women; Mucosal removal after miscarriage or abortion; Indirectly find the cause of female infertility; Remove the stagnation inside the uterus due to postpartum fluid retention; Check for suspected endometrial hyperplasia, uterine polyps, or cervical cancer. Dilation and curettage can be performed independently in hospitals and specialized clinics, or in combination with laparoscopic procedures, which view the inside of the uterus through a monitor.

2. Procedures for Scaling and Dredging (D&C)

2.1. Preparation for the procedure Before the procedure, the patient should follow the doctor's instructions about limiting food and drink. In addition, it is necessary to ask relatives to accompany you to the hospital for convenient care and take home, as well as arrange time to rest and recover after the procedure.
In some cases, the doctor will start the dilation procedure a few hours or even a day in advance, and then perform a curettage. The necessary means for promoting cervical dilation usually include:
Dilatation flakes: Made of natural or synthetic materials, used to place on the cervix and have the effect of dilating the cervix. The algae will stay in place for many hours, absorbing fluid from the cervix and dilating, thereby helping the cervix to expand; Medicines to soften the cervix: Like misoprostol (Cytotec) taken orally or vaginally, it helps to dilate the cervix more easily. Anesthesia or regional anesthetic: Is cervical dilation painful is a question many women ask, in fact anesthetic or anesthetic will help reduce pain before and during the procedure. 2.2. Procedure The procedure of cervical dilation and curettage usually takes only 10-15 minutes and is carried out according to the following steps:
The patient lies on his back and places his legs on the support; The doctor places a speculum into the vagina and holds the cervix in place with a special device; Place several dill flakes on the cervix to open them up; The cervix is ​​gradually dilated, the dilated cervical opening with a diameter of less than 3.8 cm is enough; Dredging or vacuum aspiration to remove endometrial cells; The sample of cells will be sent to a laboratory for testing. Once the dilation and curettage procedure is complete, the patient can be sent home after a few hours with the help of loved ones, and return to normal activities within the next 1-2 days.

3. Risks of D&C

Although dilation and curettage is quite simple and safe, any surgery carries a risk of complications. Although rare, the risks and side effects of dilation and curettage can also include:
Vaginal bleeding; Genital tract infections; Negligence during the procedure caused the tip of the instrument to penetrate the uterine wall causing perforation; Injury to the cervix due to laceration of the wound; Asherman syndrome. In particular, Asherman's syndrome refers to the condition where bands of sticky scar tissue form in the uterus when performing a D&C after a miscarriage. These sticky scars can cause a number of changes in the menstrual cycle, most dangerously making women infertile. However, it is still possible to use surgical measures to treat and completely cure Asherman complications after D&C.

4. Some notes after dilation and curettage of the uterus

After the procedure, the patient may experience tingling pain, little cramping, a few light drops of blood, or some reaction to the anesthetic such as nausea or vomiting. However, should return to the hospital for monitoring if more serious symptoms are detected as follows:
Heavy vaginal bleeding; Fever; Severe abdominal pain; Spasms lasting more than 2 days; Vaginal discharge has a foul odor. A new lining of the uterus will also form, so your next period is more likely to not appear as usual. A missed period, missed period, or irregular bleeding between periods is common and usually nothing to worry about in women who have had a previous D&C.
The uterus will need some time to shrink back to its original size and this is a favorable period for bacteria from the vagina to enter, causing an infection of the uterus. Therefore, women need to consult with their doctor about when they can have sex again, as well as use tampons or insert anything into the vagina after the procedure.
In summary, dilation of the cervix and curettage of the uterus is a quick surgical procedure, with the aim of diagnosing and treating a number of diseases occurring in this organ. Cervical dilation and endometrial curettage will help your doctor clear the tissue and fluid left in the uterus after childbirth, miscarriage or abortion, as well as remove abnormal tumours. . The D&C procedure needs to be performed at a reputable medical facility with sterile equipment to avoid infection sequelae.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.