Curettement, also known as curettage, refers to a medical procedure in which a curette, a small surgical instrument with a spoon-shaped or sharp-edged tip, is used to scrape or remove tissues from the walls or surfaces of body cavities, wounds, or organs. This technique is commonly employed in various medical fields, including obstetrics, gynecology, dermatology, and dentistry.
The primary purpose of curettement is to remove abnormal or unwanted tissues, such as tumors, cysts, polyps, or uterine lining, and to obtain biopsy samples for diagnostic purposes. In gynecology, for instance, endometrial curettage is conducted to retrieve uterine tissue samples for evaluating abnormal bleeding, detecting abnormalities, or diagnosing conditions like uterine cancer. Similarly, curettement can be performed in dermatology to remove skin lesions or for treating certain skin conditions.
Curettement is typically conducted under local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity and invasiveness of the procedure. After the tissue has been removed, it may be further examined under a microscope to identify any abnormalities or diseases. Once the procedure is completed, patients may experience some mild discomfort or temporary side effects, such as pain, bleeding, or swelling, which can usually be alleviated with appropriate post-operative care.
Overall, curettement plays a crucial role in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, enabling medical professionals to remove unwanted tissues, obtain biopsy samples, and further understand pathological conditions for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
