Sharp curettage (SC) involves dilating the cervix and using a sharp metal instrument to scrape the uterine walls. During the procedure, the woman usually receives general or regional anesthesia or heavy to light sedation. Because of increased risk of complications, sharp curettage should only be used when neither vacuum aspiration nor medication abortion is available.
How it functions: Most SC procedures are performed in an operating theater, under general anesthesia and involves a hospital stay. The cervix is opened with cervical dilators (either mechanical or osmotic). A curved instrument (curette) is passed through the cervix into the uterus. The curette is used to gently scrape the lining of the uterus and remove the tissue in the uterus.
- Treatment of incomplete abortion
- Management of irregular bleeding/endometrial sampling
- Abortion
Conditions for its use: Sharp curettage is typically performed in an operating theater, under general anesthesia and can involve a hospital stay. Because of the need for anesthesia, sharp curettage is generally provided only by a trained physician.
Safety and effectiveness: Sharp curettage typically has higher rates of major complications than vacuum aspiration, including increased blood loss, longer hospital stay and increased need for anesthetic drugs. It is effective in 99 to 100 percent of cases, the same as vacuum aspiration.
Potential side effects: With all uterine evacuation procedures, women often experience abdominal cramping, mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, pain and menstrual-like bleeding.
- Forna, F., and A.M. Gulmezoglu, 2002. Surgical procedures to evacuate incomplete abortion (Cochrane Review). In The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2002. Oxford: Update Software.
- Hyman, Alyson G., and Laura Castleman, 2005. Woman-Centered Abortion Care: Reference Manual. Chapel Hill, NC, Ipas.
- World Health Organization (WHO). 2003. Safe abortion: Technical and policy guidance for health systems. Geneva, WHO.