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About the Disease:

Dilation and curettage (D&C) is act so as to abolish tissue from within your uterus. Doctors inhibits dilation and curettage for analyzing and treating particular uterine conditions — such as abundant bleeding or to swipe off the uterine lining post a miscarriage or abortion. The procedure is worked on for many of the reasons. Most usually, this surgery is done for helping and retrieving cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. This can be performed to help regulate degree of anomaly of endometrium in cancer cases or even pre-cancerous cells which are noticed by an in-office examination. D and C is also essential for removal of tissue post a miscarriage.

In common, this treatment is inhibited to help in determining health of uterine lining or to extract abnormal tissue. Periodically, the act can accurate some of issues in uterus like polyps, scar tissue, or tissue overgrowth.

Possible complications of a D and C:

The D and C action inhibits a morose chance of serious complications. It is very common to practice vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic cramping which is nearly equal to menstrual cramping for a few days post treatment. Typically, over-the-counter pain medications are acceptable for pain control.

The most common situations which can occur are perforation of uterus with either the dilators or the curette. When this act takes place, as long as no internal organs like intestines, bladder, or rectum or large blood vessels are left out damaged, the hole will later almost heal always itself leaving no further surgery chances. The risk for this problem is enhanced in patients with a narrowed opening to cervix like cervical stenosis or in patients with distorted internal uterine anatomy. This risk is also enhanced if uterus is left tainted or has sustained pre surgeries such as cesarean parts or myomectomies.

Risks:

Dilation and curettage is generally found to be safe, and complications are rarely found. However, risks are part of treatment which may include:

  • Breach of uterus – Perforation of uterus takes place when a surgical instrument jabs a hole in uterus. This happens is often in women who were freshly pregnant and in women who have been through menopause. Most perforations repairs out on their own will. However, if a blood vessel or any various organs are injured, a backup procedure is bought into use for repairing it.
  • Damage to cervix – Incase Cervix is torn or destroyed while D&C, doctor may apply pressure or medicate it to withhold bleeding, or severe wound can be closed with the help of stitches (sutures).
  • Scar tissue on uterine wall – Rarely, a D&C may lead in enhancement of such scar tissue in the uterus, this condition is well known as Asherman's syndrome. This syndrome is seen generally when D&C is performed post a miscarriage or delivery. This can lead to abnormal, absent or painful menstrual cycles in women and may also lead to future miscarriages & infertility.
  • Infections post the act of D&C can be seen but in real rare cases.

Consulting doctor is suggested in case you experience any of the following post a D&C: Bleeding which is too much to handle and leads you to change pads every hour, low bleeding which may last longer than two weeks, acute fever, cramps which may last for more than 48 hours, pain which may get bad instead of better and foul-smelling expelling from the vagina.

Post D and C:

Post-surgery, patient is taken proper care for in a post-anesthesia care unit in time of recovery from anesthesia. Most patients return to normal activities just as soon as within a few days. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be highly recommended to mitigate mild aches and cramping which may follow post-surgery. To reduce the chance of increasing an infection, doctors may suggest you to avoid using of tampons or insert anything into vagina for at least two weeks post-surgery, and to cease from sexual intercourse for same time period.

The follow-up office care relies on the surgeon. When most of the doctors have patient retrieve from office to make sure that all is working well, further argue results of the tissue samples which were extracted. Usually, this act may be done 2 to 6 weeks post-operatively. Sometimes, the patient will simply be informed by a phone call with the results he/she inhibits, and no direct contact with a health professional is necessary in usual cases.

Treatment/Medication:

  • Pain medicine: One may be prescribed medicine to take away or reduce pain. Do not wait for the pain to be severe before intake of your prescribed medicine.
  • Antibiotics: This medication usually accompanies you to fight or prevent against an infection.

Intake of medication as directed. Consult a doctor in case you think your medication is not working in proper manner or showing you lot of side effects. Inform doctor if you are allergic to any kind of medication. Keep a proper record of medicines, vitamins, and herbs you intake. Include the amounts of the drug, and when and reason of it for your consumption. Take along the list or pill bottles to follow-up visits to your health care provider or doctor. Carry your medicine list along with you for treating yourself with proper medication in emergency cases.