Open and closed curettage – indications, procedure and postoperative recommendations

Curettage is one of the diagnostic and therapeutic methods used in medicine, especially in the field of gynecology.It may be open or closed, depending on the patient’s needs and the purpose of the procedure.In this article, we will discuss what curettage is, in what cases it is used, how the procedure works, what symptoms may appear after the procedure and what are the postoperative recommendations.

What is curettage?

Curettage is a procedure involving the removal of tissue or a lesion using a special tool called a curette.The procedure may be diagnostic, when the doctor takes a tissue sample for histopathological examination, or therapeutic, when the goal is to remove a lesion such as a polyp, fibroid, or uterine remnants after a miscarriage.

There are two main types of curettage:

Curettage open

Open curettage is performed in the operating room using general or local anesthesia.The doctor makes an incision within the organ to which he has access, then inserts a curette and removes unnecessary tissue.This is a more invasive procedure than closed curettage and is usually used in cases where there is a need for more precise removal of the lesion or histopathological diagnosis.

Curettage closed

Closed curettage, also called vacuum curettage, is a less invasive method.It is performed in a doctor’s office using local anesthesia.The doctor inserts a thin tube or curette through the cervix or other natural access route, and then removes the tissue using a vacuum.This procedure is often used to diagnose abnormal bleeding, menstrual disorders or to remove small lesions.

Recommendations after curettage procedure

After performing curettage, there are several important recommendations that the patient should follow:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions about rest and avoiding physical activity for a specified period of time.
• You may experience minor bleeding or abdominal pain, which is normal, but if symptoms worsen, consult your doctor.
• Use painkillers as directed by your doctor.
• Avoid sexual intercourse for a specified period of time, usually a few days to a few weeks, depending on your doctor’s advice.
• Follow intimate hygiene recommendations to avoid infections.

Curettage – possible symptoms

After the curettage procedure, various symptoms may appear, which are usually short-lived and disappear on their own or after applying appropriate measures.Please remember that each patient may react differently, so it is important to inform your doctor about any unusual symptoms.Possible symptoms after curettage include:

• Slight bleeding or spotting for a few days after the procedure.
• Abdominal pain, which may be mild and short-lived.
• Discharge from the genital tract, which may be bloody or serous.
• Increased body temperature for the first days after curettage, which is usually the result of the body’s reaction to the procedure.

Your suggestions

If you have any suggestions or questions about curettage, we encourage you to consult your doctor.Each case is individual, so it is important to obtain appropriate information from a specialist who will select appropriate treatment and therapy.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about curettage and other gynecological procedures, we recommend reading the following articles:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic curettage – when is it used?
• Gynecological procedures – review of methods and indications
• How to prepare for a curettage procedure?

Open and closed curettage are procedures that may be necessary in the treatment and diagnosis of many gynecological diseases.It is important that patients understand the course of these procedures and follow doctors’ post-operative recommendations to achieve the best health outcomes.