Do not forget the old intrauterine device in the uterus
Odlind, V.
Lakartidningen 88(18): 1673
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0023-7205 PMID: 2041413 Document Number: 370168
A 23-year old patient became pregnant in spite of using an IUD and underwent legal abortion with vacuum aspiration. The IUD was not found even after repeated follow-up scrapings with a curet. A new IUD inserted at the request of the patient worked satisfactorily for 5 years. The IUD was removed because of the patient's desire to have a child; however, the patient did not became pregnant. 6 years after the extraction of the IUD, an investigation was started concerning the inability to conceive . It was found that the husband had a poor sperm test with a suspicion of infection. After antibiotic treatment, his sperm test improved. Still no pregnancy ensued, and at age 38 the patient underwent a hysterosalpingographic X-ray test during which the old copper IUD was found in the uterus. It was removed during hysteroscopy which also revealed exceptionally uneven and mucous synechiae in the uterus. The patient felt very bitter towards the doctor who had left the IUD in her uterus 15 years earlier. If a patient gets pregnant while wearing an IUD, ultrasound or pelvic overview X-ray can be used to locate it. It has to be removed as soon as possible, because the risk of miscarriage or prematurity is considerable. Also, the safest IUDs are recommended for use to avoid such a problem.