Just heard (ok it was tiktok) two stories about birth control implants getting lost in the body. One was a Mirena Coil and one an arm implant. Both lost in the body and they couldn’t be found at the doctor’s. The nurses in the story were not too concerned and just said they’re now somewhere in the abdominal cavity. How can an object randomly travel in the body and why is it not a medical concern?
In: Biology
The arm implant is less concerning because its not generally leaving the superficial layers of the upper arm. A procedure to remove it can be done under local anesthesia, even if placed too deep. An intrabdomjnal IUD requires a diagnostic laparoscopy and general anesthesia. This can happen if it is placed in the abdomen accidentally through inadvertent perforation of the uterus during insertion. Once confirmed on an X-ray or other type of scan, one should be scheduled for surgery for removal fairly soon. It’s not an emergency necessarily unless another organ is injured but it is urgent and should not be ignored
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