What Is the Difference Between Uterine Curettage and Induced Abortion?
Dec 23, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Kong Xiang
Introduction
What Is the Difference Between Dilation and Curettage (D&C) and Induced Abortion?
1. **Dilation and Curettage (D&C)**: A surgical procedure involving scraping of the endometrium or intrauterine contents. It is a common minor gynecological surgery and one method of induced abortion. D&C is categorized into two types: diagnostic D&C (often abbreviated as “diagnostic curettage”) and therapeutic D&C.
2. **Induced Abortion**: Also referred to as “abortion” or “induced abortion,” this procedure entails terminating a pregnancy surgically—i.e., achieving pregnancy termination through artificial (medical or surgical) means.
As unintended pregnancies among women in modern society become increasingly common, many women opt for surgical abortion to terminate pregnancy. However, such procedures can cause significant damage to the uterus; repeated abortions may even lead to permanent infertility. Dilation and curettage (D&C) is another commonly performed gynecological procedure. So, what are the key differences between D&C and surgical abortion? Let’s explore this further.
What Are the Differences Between Dilation and Curettage (D&C) and Surgical Abortion?
1. Curettage
A surgical procedure involving scraping of the endometrium or intrauterine contents. It is a common minor gynecological operation and one method of induced abortion. Curettage is broadly categorized into diagnostic curettage (“diagnostic D&C”) and therapeutic curettage.
(1) Diagnostic curettage is further divided into routine diagnostic curettage and fractional diagnostic curettage.
Routine diagnostic curettage is indicated when evaluating endometrial changes and hormonal responsiveness—such as in cases of endocrine disorders, anovulation, or suspected endometrial tuberculosis. Fractional diagnostic curettage involves first scraping the cervical canal and then the uterine cavity, with specimens from each site sent separately for histopathological examination. This technique is primarily used to diagnose cervical cancer, endometrial carcinoma, and other uterine malignancies, and to assess the extent of tumor involvement.
(2) Therapeutic curettage includes vacuum aspiration and forceps evacuation.
Vacuum aspiration uses a suction catheter to remove intrauterine contents via negative pressure; forceps evacuation employs oval forceps to extract larger intrauterine tissue fragments, followed by additional curettage. Indications for therapeutic curettage include: termination of early pregnancy (vacuum aspiration for pregnancies ≤12 weeks; forceps evacuation for pregnancies >12 weeks or after induced labor to remove retained products); incomplete abortion, inevitable abortion, missed abortion, placental retention, and hydatidiform mole—conditions requiring complete uterine evacuation.
2. Surgical Abortion
Surgical abortion—commonly referred to as “abortion”—is a procedure that terminates pregnancy through surgery. Techniques include vacuum aspiration and forceps evacuation. In vacuum aspiration, a hollow suction cannula is inserted into the uterine cavity, and negative pressure is applied to aspirate embryonic tissue. In forceps evacuation, oval forceps are used to grasp and remove larger pieces of embryonic tissue. Surgical abortion may be performed up to 14 weeks’ gestation.
The above outlines the key distinctions between dilation and curettage (D&C) and surgical abortion. We hope this information is helpful to you.
