Dilatation Health Dictionary

Commonly referred to as D and C, a gynaecological operation to scrape away the lining of the UTERUS (ENDOMETRIUM). The procedure may be used to diagnose and treat heavy bleeding from the womb (ENDOMETRIOSIS) as well as other uterine disorders. It can be used to terminate a pregnancy or to clean out the uterus after a partial miscarriage. D and C is increasingly being replaced with a LASER technique using a hysteroscope – a type of ENDOSCOPE.... dilatation and curettage

A procedure for enlarging the anus. Anal dilatation is used to treat conditions in which the anus becomes too tight, such as anal stenosis and anal fissure. It is also used to treat haemorrhoids. Anal dilatation is usually performed under general anaesthesia.

Reflex anal dilatation, in which the anus dilates in response to local contact, may occur in certain anal disorders or after repeated anal penetration.... anal dilatation

A procedure to stretch the oesophagus when it has been narrowed by disease (see oesophageal stricture) and swallowing is difficult. Endoscopy is used to locate the obstruction. The narrowed area is then stretched by passing bougies (cylindrical rods with olive-shaped tips) down the oesophagus, or by using balloon catheters.... oesophageal dilatation

The procedure in which a urethral stricture in a male is widened by inserting a slim, roundtipped instrument through the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis.... urethral dilatation