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Abrasion is the name for uterine curettage. It is a gynecological procedure that is performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The abrasion procedure is performed in women, for example, to remove polyps, but also after childbirth, when it is necessary to clean the uterus. It is often a life-saving procedure for a woman.
Abrasion is a gynecological procedure that many women know as uterine curettage. Although most women have heard about this procedure, few of them know exactly what it is and when it is performed. Are there any risks associated with it? Does abrasion affect the course of subsequent pregnancies?
Abrasion – what is it?
Abrasion is a gynecological procedure that cleans the uterus by exfoliating the uterine mucosa or collecting tissues for examination. In this case, the appropriate tissues are extracted from the mucosa of the uterine cavity.
Abrasion – indications
The indications for abrasion vary. Uterine curettage can be performed for both therapeutic and diagnostic reasons. Thanks to abrasion, it is possible, for example, to take samples of the uterine mucosa in order to perform histopathological tests that will allow to exclude or confirm a neoplasm. For diagnostic purposes, abrasion is often performed after vaginal ultrasound, but also, for example, in diagnosing the causes of infertility in women, or irregular and heavy menstruation, both before and during menopause.
Thanks to abrasion, it is also possible to:
- removal of the polyp that develops in the uterine mucosa due to hormonal disorders;
- cleaning the uterus after childbirth – there are situations when it is suspected that the placenta has not fully detached. In this case, the abrasion is performed without anesthesia to remove the remnants of the placenta from the uterus. The decision to perform the procedure is made by the gynecologist immediately after or within a few days after giving birth;
- cleaning the uterus after a miscarriage – at the time of a miscarriage, the uterus is often not self-cleansing.
Abrasion – course
The only requirement for abrasion is fasting. Abrasion is always done in a hospital. It is usually performed under general and short-term intravenous anesthesia.
The abrasion procedure itself is short and takes several minutes. After administration of anesthesia, the doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina. He also uses the so-called ballscrews, i.e. surgical forceps. Thus, it widens the cervix just enough to insert a surgical spoon into the uterine cavity. Thanks to her, it is possible to exfoliate the uterine mucosa. The tissues obtained in this way are then sent to the laboratory, where histopathological tests are performed (when abrasion is performed for diagnostic purposes).
When the anesthesia wears off, the woman stays a few more hours in the hospital and, if no complications arise, she is sent home.
Abrasion – complications
Abrasion is an invasive procedure that can cause complications and complications. After abrasion, there may be bleeding, pain in the uterus or the entire birth canal. If an infection or heavy bleeding occurs, go to the hospital.
The so-called Asherman’s syndrome, which leads to scarring and adhesions on the walls of the uterus. However, this is a result of over-abrasion, leading to partial or complete closure of the uterine lumen. The consequence may be habitual miscarriages and even secondary infertility.
The cervix may also be ruptured or the uterine cavity ruptured or punctured during abrasion.
Nevertheless, the procedure is often used to save the life and health of women, both during treatment and diagnostics. After abrasion, one should be careful and give up intercourse. Proper hygiene of intimate places is also important.
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