324 cases of misplaced IUCD--a 5-year study

Do intrauterine device/intrauterine system users check their threads?

BACKGROUND

Expulsion of an intrauterine device (IUD) occurs in about 1 in 20 women and expulsion may not be noticed by the user. Current guidance recommends that users are instructed to check regularly for their threads. This is the first study to explore the reality of how women feel about checking their threads and the details surrounding how frequently checks are done.

METHODS

One hundred consecutive IUD users were interviewed regarding their type of device, duration of use, frequency of thread checking, prompts for checking and reasons for not checking.

RESULTS

Only 23% checked their threads regularly and 51% had never done so. The most common reason for not checking was forgetting about it.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being advised to do so, the majority of users do not check their threads at all and fewer than one-quarter of them check regularly. We propose that advice offered about thread checking should be given less emphasis and suggested more for user reassurance.

Simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and removal of an intrauterine device translocated to the right subdiaphragmal region: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Intrauterine devices are often accompanied by various complications, of which the uterine perforation constitutes the most dangerous one.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 41-year-old woman complaining of right upper quadrant pain. She had an intrauterine device inserted 12 years earlier without regular follow-up. Abdominal plain X-ray revealed the intrauterine device trans-located into the right subdiaphragmal area. Abdominal ultrasound showed gallbladder stones without any other sonographic pathologic finding. Patient underwent simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and removal of the intrauterine device from the right subdiaphragmal area.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy is an appropriate method for removal of intrauterine device translocated to the right subdiaphragmatic region.