|
Contact Information
Phone - 610-374-2214 301 South 7th Avenue Suite 245 West Reading, PA 19611 |
 |
Surgical Options - D & C for Uterine Bleeding ProblemsD and C — also known as dilatation (dil-ah-tay'-shun) and curettage (koo-re-tahzh') — is a minor surgical procedure in which the physician first dilates or opens the woman's cervix and then inserts a thin, spoon-shaped instrument and uses it to scrape the lining of the uterus. Dilatation, therefore, stands for opening the cervix; curettage means the scraping of the uterine wall. This booklet will explain:
D&C is one of the most common surgical procedures of all. However, as routine as a D&C is, no two women undergoing a D&C are alike. The reasons for and the outcome of any operation depend on your overall health, your age, the severity of uterine bleeding, and any other abnormalities that exist in your uterus, such as polyps. This article is not intended to take the place of your surgeon's professional opinion. Rather, this information is presented to help you begin to understand the basics of this surgical procedure. Read this material carefully. If you have more questions, discuss them openly with your doctor. The Uterus and the Cervix The uterus is a muscular, pear-shaped organ that has three main functions: (1) to receive an egg that has been fertilized by sperm in the ovary, (2) to nurture and house the fetus (unborn baby) during its development, and (3) to use its muscular walls to push the baby out when it is ready to be born. Because it is a muscular organ, the uterus has contractions or cramps that occur during the entire monthly cycle, even throughout pregnancy and delivery. The contractions are more intense during your menstrual period, but they also occur throughout the month; you may not even feel them. At menstruation, the cervix opens to release blood and to shed the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium (en-doh-me'-tree- um). The cervix is located at the base of the uterus and serves as the valve between the uterus and the vagina. Through the cervical canal, semen enters the uterus, blood flows from the uterus during menstruation, and babies are delivered during birth.
Who Needs to Undergo a D&C? Seventy percent of all women who have a D&C performed are 15 to 44 years old. The procedure is done for two reasons: to diagnose a problem and to treat a problem. By doing a D&C, your surgeon can evaluate the causes of excessive and repeated bleeding from your uterus, determine the cause of severe menstrual pain, or gain information about why you are unable to get pregnant. This elective procedure is also commonly performed after a miscarriage (losing the fetus) to cleanse the uterus of remaining tissue associated with the pregnancy.
Sometimes a woman experiences post-menopausal bleeding. If vaginal bleeding occurs after a cessation of at least six months, you should see a doctor immediately. He or she may recommend a D&C. About the Procedure D&C can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis in either a hospital or freestanding surgery center. Prior to the procedure, you may be given a sedative. An IV may be started either before or after you enter the operating room. The vaginal area will be washed. There are three steps in the D&C procedure:
After the Procedure In most cases, you will be discharged from the surgery center or hospital on the same day on which a D&C is done. However, you may be kept longer if you have another medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, or if some complication of the procedure or the anesthetic used arises. The results of the laboratory evaluation of the removed tissue is usually available in one to two days. At that time, your doctor will recommend treatment for conditions that are identified by the procedure. You will be encouraged to walk to the bathroom and resume normal nonstrenuous activity as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Expect slight bleeding and staining for anywhere from five to 14 days following a D&C. You should refrain from sexual intercourse and the use of tampons for at least seven days or until the bleeding has stopped. Use sanitary napkins during this time. Also, douches should be avoided for two weeks after the operation because the operated area may be exposed to bacteria that can cause infection or inflammation. Following a D&C procedure, you will be given oral medication for any post-operative pain, such as cramps. Most pain disappears within 24 hours. You also may be given an antibiotic to prevent infection. A D&C procedure leaves no scar. If your occupation does not involve heavy physical work, you can plan on returning to your job in two to three days. Surgery by Surgeons A fully trained surgeon is a physician who, after medical school, has gone through years of training in an accredited residency program to learn the specialized skills of a surgeon. One good sign of a surgeon's competence is certification by a national surgical board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties. All board-certified surgeons have satisfactorily completed an approved residency training program and have passed a rigorous specialty examination. The letters F.A.C.S. (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name are a further indication of a surgeon's qualifications. Surgeons who become Fellows of the College have passed a comprehensive evaluation of their surgical training and skills; they also have demonstrated their commitment to high standards of ethical conduct. This evaluation is conducted according to national standards that were established to ensure that patients receive the best possible surgical care. Reviewed by: Roger D. Kempers, M.D., F.A.C.S., Hugh M. Shingleton, M.D., F.A.C.S.,
|
|
|
Copyright © 2007 Women's Clinic, Ltd. WebsitePhysician.com |
|
|
