Ultrasound-Guided Intrauterine Removal of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices in Pregnancy

Authors

P G. Stubblefield, Maine Medical Center
A F. Fuller
S C. Foster

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1988

Institution/Department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal Title

Obstetrics and Gynecology

MeSH Headings

Adult; Female; Humans; Intrauterine Devices; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography

Abstract

The risk to the embryo and to the mother when pregnancy results with an intrauterine device (IUD) in the uterus is well documented. Current advice in such cases is to remove the IUD if the string is visible; proper management when the string is not accessible is controversial. In four such cases, we were able to remove the IUDs from inside the uterine cavity using a small alligator forceps guided by high-resolution ultrasound. All four pregnancies progressed successfully to term. Based on the literature and our own experience, we recommend removal of IUDs or therapeutic abortion when pregnancy occurs with an IUD in situ.

ISSN

0029-7844

First Page

961

Last Page

4

Recommended Citation

Stubblefield PG, Fuller AF Jr, Foster SC. Ultrasound-guided intrauterine removal of intrauterine contraceptive devices in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 1988;72(6):961-964. doi:10.1097/00006250-198812000-00034