What are the risks of dilatation and curettage?
The primary risk after the procedure is infection. Signs of infection include: • fever • heavy bleeding • severe cramps • foul-smelling vaginal discharge A woman should report any of these symptoms to her doctor, who can treat the infection with antibiotics before it becomes serious. D & C is a surgical operation, which carries certain risks associated with general anesthesia. Rare complications include puncture of the uterus (which usually heals on its own) or puncture of the bowel or bladder (which require further surgery to repair). Source: The Gale Group. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed.
