Curettage

Curettage (from fr. curette, curer to scrape out, to clean) is a short gynecological surgical procedure usually performed under general anesthesia.

Indication

Uterine curette

The procedure is indicated to stop heavy uterine bleeding of a menstrual nature, to diagnose intrauterine pathologies (polyp, myoma, tumor, remnants after childbirth or abortion, etc.) or as part of a hysteroscopic procedure.

The extracted sample is usually sent for histological examination

Hysteroscopy is now the preferred and safer alternative to curettage. Hysteroscopic procedure is performed under optical control.

In the past, curettage was primarily known as a method of surgical abortion. This method is now being replaced by safer vacuum aspiration and non-surgical methods of abortion.

Complications

Complications occur very rarely with curettage. Possible complications result from the administration of general anesthesia and from the procedure itsel. Thrombosis or embolism may occur, followed by perforation of the uterine cavity, heavy bleeding, penetration into other organs of the abdominal cavity due to abnormal anatomical conditions in the uterine cavity or in the abdominal cavity.

Links

Related articles

• Abrasion (gynecology)

References

• VOKURKA, Martin – HUGO, Jan, et al. Velký lékařský slovník. 9. edition. Praha : Maxdorf, 2009. 1159 pp. ISBN 978-80-7345-202-5.

• ROZTOČIL, Aleš – BARTOŠ, Pavel, et al. Moderní gynekologie. 1. edition. Praha : Grada, 2011. 508 pp. ISBN 978-80-247-2832-2.