Neurovascular injury during removal of levonorgestrel implants

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 172; no. 1; pp. 120 - 121
• Main Authors: Sarma, Seshu P., Hatcher, Robert P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Mosby, Inc 1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Arm - blood supply; Arm - innervation; arm pain; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Vessels - anatomy & histology; Blood Vessels - injuries; Drug Implants; Female; Humans; Intraoperative Complications - prevention & control; Levonorgestrel - administration & dosage; Levonorgestrel implants; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; nerve damage; Nervous System - anatomy & histology; paralysis; Population; Reoperation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries - prevention & control; paralysis; arm pain; Levonorgestrel implants; nerve damage; Human; Upper limb; Implant; Injury; Surgery; Americas; Contraceptive Methods > complications; Contraceptive Agents; United States; Contraceptive Agents, Progestin; Levonorgestrel; Contraception; Family Planning; Contraceptive Implants > complications; North America; Insertion > standards; Diseases; Pain > prevention and control; Northern America; Developed Countries; Treatment; Contraception Termination; Signs And Symptoms; Contraceptive Agents, Female
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)90096-9

Injury to major neurovascular structures of the upper arm is a complication to be kept in mind, especially during difficult levonorgestrel implant removal. The risk of such an injury may be higher if the implants are inserted deeply over the brachial groove, where four major structures, namely, the basilic vein, the ulnar and median nerves, and the brachial artery, are located.