What is the Difference Between D&C and D&E

D&C and D&E are two surgical procedures performed after a miscarriage. These procedures are done in situations such as when a woman knows she is going to have a miscarriage and chooses not to have a natural miscarriage at home, when a woman has recently had a natural miscarriage but retained tissue remains in the womb, or when a woman is experiencing heavy or irregular periods or vaginal bleeding after menopause.

The key difference between D&C and D&E is their methodology. D&C is a procedure done in the uterus by scraping the lining of the uterus, while D&E is a procedure done in the uterus by suctioning out the lining of the uterus.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is D&C 
3. What is D&E
4. Similarities – D&C and D&E
5. D&C vs D&E  in Tabular Form
6. Summary – D&C and D&E
7. FAQ – D&C and D&E

What is D&C?

D&C is known as dilation and curettage. It is a procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus. In a dilation and curettage procedure, a small instrument or a medication is used to dilate the cervix. Next, a surgical instrument called a curette is used to remove uterine tissue. D&C is generally performed during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

In addition to being performed after a miscarriage, D&C can be used to diagnose conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, bleeding after menopause, and abnormal endometrial cells discovered during routine cervical cancer screening. It can also be used to treat conditions like infection, molar pregnancy, and uterine or cervical polyps. However, there are some risks associated with this procedure, such as perforation of the uterus, damage to the cervix, scar tissue on the uterine wall, and infection.

What is D&E?

D&E is known as the dilation and evacuation. D&E is done during the second trimester. The first step in a D&E procedure is preparing the cervix by gradually softening and dilating it a day or two before the actual procedure. The second step in a D&E is the evacuation of the fetus and the placenta from the uterus by using a combination of vacuum suction, forceps, and curettage to empty the uterus.

The side effects, or risks associated with the D&E procedure include infections (signs of which include prolonged vomiting, headache, muscle aches, and dizziness), bleeding for more than two weeks, not having a menstrual period within six weeks of the procedure and depression.

Similarities Between D&C and D&E

1. D&C and D&E are two surgical procedures performed after a miscarriage to remove tissues in the uterus.
2. Both procedures involve the dilation of the cervix.
3. They should be performed by experienced gynecologists.
4. Both procedures have associated risks or side effects.

Difference Between D&C and D&E

Definition

1. D&C is a procedure that uses dilation and curettage to remove tissue from inside the uterus.
2. D&E is a procedure that uses dilation and vacuum suction to remove tissue from inside the uterus.

Procedure

1. In D&C, the cervix is dilated using a small instrument or medication, and a curette is used to remove uterine tissue.
2. In D&E, the cervix is softened and dilated over a day or two before the procedure. The evacuation of the fetus and placenta is done using a combination of vacuum suction, forceps, and curettage.

When It Is Performed

1. D&C is typically performed during the first trimester.
2. D&E is typically performed during the second trimester.

Risks or Side Effects

1. D&C risks include perforation of the uterus, damage to the cervix, scar tissue on the uterine wall, and infection.
2. D&E risks include infections, bleeding for more than two weeks, absence of a menstrual period within six weeks of the procedure, and depression.

The following table summarizes the difference between D&C and D&E.

Summary – D&C vs D&E

In some pregnancies, things do not go as expected, and there may be problems that make it necessary to end the pregnancy, or it may end spontaneously in a miscarriage. D&C and D&E are two surgical procedures performed after a miscarriage to remove tissues in the uterus. However, D&C is a procedure that uses dilation and curettage to remove tissue from inside the uterus, while D&E is a procedure that uses dilation and vacuum suction to remove tissue from inside the uterus. This is the summary of the difference between D&C and D&E.

FAQ: D&C and D&E

1. Is a D&C procedure painful?

• Women may feel a pinch and a sting with the injection. Once the cervix is numb, they won’t be in any pain when the doctor dilates the cervix. However, women may experience some cramping in their uterus when the doctor removes the lining with a curette.

2. What is a D&C procedure done for?

• D&C (dilation and curettage) is a procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus after miscarriage. Doctors may also perform dilation and curettage to diagnose and treat certain uterine conditions, such as heavy bleeding.

3. What are the risks of a D&C?

• Infection, bleeding, cervical lacerations, uterine perforation, and postoperative uterine adhesions are risks associated with the D&C procedure.

4. Is D&C and D&E the same?

• No, they are different procedures. D&C is a procedure that uses dilation and curettage to remove tissue from inside the uterus whereas D&E is a procedure that uses dilation and vacuum suction to remove tissue from inside the uterus.

5. Why would someone need a D&E?

• D&E may be done if the mother has severe health problems. It may be done in cases where an abortion was not possible earlier in the pregnancy. Most probably, it is used if a patient is in her second trimester, or it may be done to fully remove tissue in the uterus after a miscarriage.

Reference:

1. “Dilation and Curettage (D&C).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Dilation and Evacuation (D&E).” SOM – State of Michigan.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Dilation & curettage” By File:Vacuum-aspiration (single).svg: Andrew cFile:Dilation and curettage.svg: Fred the Oysterderivative work Andrew c – File:Vacuum-aspiration (single).svgFile:Dilation and curettage.svg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia