Dilatation and curettage

A dilatation and curettage (D&C) is an operation performed on women to scrape away the womb lining. The cervix (neck) of the uterus (womb) is dilated using an instrument called a dilator. The endometrium (lining of the womb) is then lightly scraped off using a curette. This spoon-shaped instrument can be used to remove diseased tissue, treat abnormal bleeding or to obtain a specimen for diagnostic purposes.