Behavior of an intra-uterine device in the abdomen of animals
Fontaine, H.; Cossard, F.; Saurel, J.; Brun, G.
Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction 10(2): 109-112
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0368-2315 PMID: 7276464 Document Number: 182175
The authors have carried out an experimental study on the reaction of an animal's organism to the presence of an open copper intra-uterine device when placed in the abdomen. The study was carried out on two groups each of 10 rabbits and two bitches. The intra-uterine device was placed in the pouch of Douglas by laparotomy, directly in one group and after contamination with genital secretions in the other. The state of the animals was checked six weeks after the initial laparotomy. Trauma caused by the operation was minimal because there were no adhesions found on the parietal peritoneum. On the other hand in experimental conditions that are very similar to those found when an intra-uterine device goes through the uterus in a human subject and involves contamination with genital secretions, in 50 per cent of cases the intra-uterine device migrated within the abdominal cavity. It was picked up by the omentum and this underwent such a strong fibrous reaction that it brought about multiple intestinal adhesions. Though the authors admit that experimental results in animals cannot be extrapolated to women, they believe that these results should be taken into consideration and that it would be imprudent to leave an intra-uterine device in the abdomen in a woman when there is proof that it has migrated, because there would then be a major risk of intestinal obstruction due to an adhesion that as formed a band.