Migration of a contraceptive subdermal device into the lung

• Published in: Obstetrics & gynecology science Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 314 - 317
• Main Authors: Choi, Ji Hui, Kim, Ha-Yeon, Lee, Sung Soo, Cho, SiHyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Korean Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health; Korean Society of Gynecologic Endocrinology; Korean Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy and Minimal Invasive Surgery; Korean Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine; Korean Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology; Korean Urogynecologic Society 01.05.2017; 대한산부인과학회
• Subjects: Case Report; 산부인과학; Drug implant; Foreign-body migration; Contraceptive implant
• ISSN: 2287-8572; 2287-8580
• DOI: 10.5468/ogs.2017.60.3.314

A single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant is usually located around the insertion site, has been usually known to migrate within less than 2 cm of the insertion site and the true migration over 2 cm has been rarely reported. We report a case of migrated radiopaque subdermal contraceptive implant into lung in a 37-year-old woman. On conducted chest computed tomography, subdermal contraceptive implant was in subsegmental branch in left posterior basal segment of lung. Removal of subdermal contraceptive implant in left posterior basal segment of lung by mini-thoracotomy was performed by a chest surgeon. Complications with insertion and removal of subdermal contraceptive implant are rare in the hands of medical professionals familiar with the techniques and these procedures should only be undertaken by those with relevant training. The migration over 2 cm should not occur if the correct subdermal insertion procedure is followed and carried out by a properly trained individual.