A uterus cleaning, also called a dilation and cutterage, is a medical procedure in which the cervix is manually dilated and a tool is inserted into the uterus to scrape or suction away uterine tissue. A uterus cleaning is considered minor surgery and may be done at a hospital or clinic. A doctor may perform a dilation and cutterage in order to obtain tissue for testing needed to make a diagnosis. The procedure may also be performed in order to remove polyps, fibroids, placental tissue after the delivery of a baby, or tissue that is not expelled from the body after a miscarriage or abortion.

The procedure is usually done under local, regional, or general anesthesia, depending on the circumstances and the health of the patient. During the procedure, a speculum is used to open the vagina and allow the doctor access to the cervix. The doctor then uses a thin strip of metal to determine the angle and depth of the uterus. Metal rods, growing progressively thicker in size, are subsequently inserted into the cervix until it becomes properly dilated for the procedure.

After dilation, the doctor may insert an instrument called a hysteroscope to look at the inside of the uterus. This is typically followed by the use of a tool called a curette, which scrapes or suctions away the uterine tissue. It is common for any tissue retrieved from a uterus cleaning to be sent to a lab for testing. A uterine cleaning usually takes about 20 minutes to complete, and a woman may experience cramping after the procedure.

Dilation and cutterage is often used in order to make a diagnosis in a patient that has symptoms such as pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, very heavy menstrual bleeding, or vaginal bleeding after menopause. The tissue obtained from the procedure can be tested for signs of uterine cancer, uterine polyps, or a pre-cancerous condition called endometrial hyperplasia. A uterus cleaning may stop heavy or irregular bleeding, but it is not uncommon for the bleeding to reoccur after two to six months if the underlying condition is not treated.

Uterus cleaning is also used when a doctor knows the source of the problem. The procedure is often used to remove non-cancerous growths, such as uterine polyps or fibroids. Dilation and cutterage is also done when the placenta is not fully expelled after the delivery of a baby, or when tissue remains in the uterus after a miscarriage or abortion.