Definition

1. Noun:
   • A surgical procedure: "dilatation and curettage" refers to a specific medical operation, typically performed under local or general anesthesia. It involves two main steps: the widening (dilatation) of the cervix and the scraping (curettage) of the inner lining (endometrium) of the uterus using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.

Usage

• Primary Context: The term is used exclusively in medical contexts to describe this specific gynecological procedure.
• Common Abbreviation: It is frequently abbreviated as D&C or D and C in medical notes and discussions.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor recommended a dilatation and curettage to diagnose the cause of the abnormal bleeding.
  • After the miscarriage, she underwent a dilatation and curettage to remove remaining tissue.

Advanced Usage

• "to perform a dilatation and curettage": to carry out the surgical procedure.

  • The gynecologist will perform a dilatation and curettage tomorrow morning.

• "to undergo a dilatation and curettage": to have the procedure done to oneself.

  • The patient had to undergo a dilatation and curettage for diagnostic purposes.

Variants and Related Words

• D&C / D and C (n): The standard abbreviation for "dilatation and curettage."

  • The patient's chart noted a history of a D&C.

• Curettage (n): The specific act of scraping a body cavity, such as the uterus, with a curette. This is the second part of the procedure.

• Dilatation (n): The act of stretching or enlarging an opening, such as the cervix. This is the first part of the procedure.
• Endometrial biopsy (n): A similar procedure often performed for diagnostic sampling, which may involve a D&C.

Synonyms

• Uterine scraping: A descriptive, non-technical synonym.
• Dilation and curettage: A common alternative spelling, where "dilation" is used interchangeably with "dilatation."

Related Phrases

• Diagnostic DC: A dilatation and curettage performed primarily to obtain tissue samples for laboratory analysis to diagnose a condition.
• Therapeutic DC: A dilatation and curettage performed to treat a condition, such as to stop prolonged bleeding or remove tissue after a miscarriage.

Noun

1. a surgical procedure usually performed under local anesthesia in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrial lining of the uterus is scraped with a curet; performed to obtain tissue samples or to stop prolonged bleeding or to remove small tumors or to remove fragments of placenta after childbirth or as a method of abortion