The Full Form of D&C is Dilation and curettage.

Dilation and curettage, often called a D&C, is a minor surgical procedure done to remove tissue from a woman’s uterus (womb). It is usually an outpatient surgery that can be done in a doctor’s office or surgery center. It is performed by a gynecologist or obstetrician.

The name refers to the dilation of the cervix, into which a thin instrument called a curette is inserted. The cervix is the narrow opening of the uterus that joins with the top of the vagina. It usually only dilates (opens) naturally during childbirth.

A D&C may be necessary if a woman has had a miscarriage, has leftover tissue from an abortion in her uterus, or has unexplained bleeding between menstrual periods.

A D&C may also be done along with a procedure called a hysteroscopy. In this procedure, a device is inserted to view the inside of the uterus for diagnostic purposes.