Dilation and curettage, frequently called a D&C, is a minor surgery done to remove tissue from a woman’s uterus (womb).

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

A D&C may likewise be done alongside a technique called a hysteroscopy. In this technique, a device is inserted to see the inside of the uterus for diagnostic purposes.