Curettage

What curettage?

The uterus is the size of a fist and has a thick wall, which mostly consists of muscles. Inside the uterus, there is a cavity that is lined with a mucous membrane.

During menstruation loosens mucous membrane and runs out together with the blood.

Until next ovulation built mucosa up again. If you become pregnant, put the egg stuck in the mucous membrane and there will be no menstruation.

In a D & C leads the doctor a thin instrument into the uterine cavity. The physician removes the top layers of the endometrium and taking a tissue sample, which is sent for microscopic examination. The procedure can be performed both in narcosis and in local anesthesia. You can usually go home a few hours after the procedure.

Curettage is not performed as often as before. Instead, we use ultrasound, arthroscopy of the uterus and treatment with medication.

What used to curettage?

There are two reasons till Making curettage:

1. Either to remove mucous membranes ester, for example, in the context of abortion
2. Or to take a sample from the lining of the uterus

Remove mucous residues:

The uterus timber normally all pregnancy tissue by an abortion. This applies to spontaneous and provoked abortion.

If you continue to bleed for a longer time after an abortion, maybe because the uterus is not completely empty. Where necessary, it may be necessary with curettage.

Sample from the lining of the uterus:

If ultrasound or cell samples have shown that the risk of cervical lesions or cancer of the uterus must take a sample of tissue from the uterine lining. This can be done by curettage.

How do I prepare?

It depends on your health in general and on how to be stunned.

It is important that you tell your doctor about any chronic illnesses and taking medicine. You must be sure that you have understood all the information about how you should do before and after the procedure. Ask if you are unsure.

How is the procedure?

The engagement can be performed under local anesthesia. In this case, the doctor anesthetize the cervix and the lower part of the uterus of an injection into the top of the vagina.

You can also get general anesthesia (anesthesia). So you sleep completely during surgery and feels nothing. While you will be well cared for by the anesthetic nurse and doctor.

The cervix is ​​usually closed and must be slightly extended.

Then the doctor may conduct the necessary instruments in and either suck or scrape the lining out. Possibly. One can also make a keyhole examination of the uterus at the same time. So you get a good view of the uterine cavity appearance and mucosa and to take samples directly from any changes.

The procedure can take from five minutes up to half an hour, entirely dependent on how much the doctor to do.

How dangerous is curettage?

Bleeding. Most bleeding only slightly after a curettage.

Inflammation. There is always a risk of infection when driver’s instruments into the uterus. The treatment is usually antibiotics.

Hole of the uterus (perforation). Although it happens rarely, it can take hole in the uterus by curettage. The risk is highest if you are pregnant, if there is inflammation of the uterus or in elderly patients. Usually it is not necessary treatment, since the hole quickly closes. However, there is a small risk of bleeding into the abdominal cavity or damage to other internal organs. It will in that case find within a few days. If this happens, it may be necessary to operate to treat the injury.

Scar tissue. In very exceptional cases can cause interference, to form scar tissue in the uterine cavity. It may mean that your periods are scanty and painful, and you can not get pregnant. The risk of adhesions is best if you make multiple swabs in a short time, or if there is inflammation of the uterus. To prevent adhesions and scar tissue can provide a preventive hormone therapy with estrogen tablets for 3 weeks.

Overlooked disease. Research has shown that only 10-20% of the lining of the uterus is actually being stripped out by curettage. This means that you risk not finding any changes. This is the reason that nowadays rarely make curettage without a keyhole at the same time.

after surgery

You can have menstrual-like cramps in the stomach immediately after the procedure, but it usually goes quickly. There may be some vaginal bleeding during the first days.

Most departments want to keep you for at least one hour after the procedure, or until you are fully awake.

You can take painkillers (non-prescription drugs) if you need it.

What you should be aware of after scraping out?

Contact your doctor or department if you develop a fever, severe and persistent pain that is not helped by painkillers if you experience prolonged and heavy bleeding (more than 6 hours, which requires changing the volume several times an hour) or smelly discharge from the vagina.

Precautions after scraping out

You should avoid having intercourse when there is fresh bleeding. The extended cervix needs time to close, and until then there is a risk that bacteria can get into the uterus and cause inflammation.

Use sanitary towels and tampons, not by bleeding.

If samples have been taken from the lining there are answers to the microscopic examination after 1-3 weeks. Agree with your doctor how to answer.