JCDR - Register at Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section DOI : 10.7860/JCDR/2019/40534.12835
Year : 2019 | Month : May | Volume : 13 | Issue : 05 Full Version Page : QC01 - QC04

Approach Towards Misplaced or Malposition IUCD: Lessons Learned

Neha Varun1, Abhinav Jain2, Aruna Nigam3, Sana Noor4, Nidhi Gupta4, Sumedha Sharma5

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
3 Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
4 Intern, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.
6 Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.


NAME, ADDRESS, E-MAIL ID OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Dr. Neha Varun, A-2A/35, West Janakpuri, New Delhi-58, India.
E-mail: drneha.ucms@gmail.com
Abstract

Introduction

Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD’s) are the effective, economical, long-acting and reversible type of contraceptive method used worldwide. But, it is associated with complications like increased bleeding, perforation and rarely transmigration of IUCD to adjacent organs. Dislocated IUCD is the terminology used to define the IUCD with an abnormal position within the uterus (malposition) or a transmigrated IUCD with an extra-uterine location (misplaced).

Aim

This study was conducted with the aim to find out the incidence of dislocated IUCD requiring operative interventions, to study the various clinical presentations of this condition, investigations needed to localise the IUCD and the preferred surgical intervention for its retrieval.

Materials and Methods

This study was a cross-divtional retrospective study conducted in a medical college over a period of two years from June’ 2016 to June’ 2018. Records from the medical record department and family planning department of the hospital were reviewed to identify the patients with the diagnosis of dislocated IUCD, who underwent operative interventions for its retrieval. A total of 20 such patients have been included in the study.

Results

Total number of IUCD inserted during study period in the institute was 482 and surgical intervention for dislocated IUCD was required in only 4.1% (20/482) patients. Out of these 20 patients, in 16 patients minimally invasive approach and in four patients long artery forceps under anaesthesia was utilised for the retrieval of dislocated IUCD. Mean age (range) was 27.5 (22-35) years and parity was 3 (1-3). Most common presenting complaint was missing thread (65%). A 3.52% (17/482) of the patients had an IUCD within the uterine cavity (partial perforations or IUCD embedded in the uterine wall) and 0.6% (3/482) had misplaced IUCD (transmigrated IUCD). Among the study group, in 80% (16/20) patients IUCD’s were inserted in the postpartum phase and in 20% (4/20) as an interval IUCD. Among the misplaced IUCD group, all patients had an operative laparoscopy and none required a laparotomy. Among the malpositioned IUCD, 76.47% (13/17) had an operative hysteroscopy for the removal of IUCD and in 23.5% (4/17) patients IUCD was removed using long artery forceps under anaesthesia. No surgery-related intra-operative or post-operative complications were observed.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive approach proved to be the preferred diagnostic and the therapeutic modality for the dislocated IUCD. Dislocated IUCD requiring operative interventions is a very rare complication of this long acting contraceptive method. Thus, this condition should not be a reason to deny IUCD insertion and every attempt should be made to lower down its failure and complication rates.

Keywords

Introduction

Among the contraceptive methods available, IUCD’s seems to be the most acceptable, effective, extensively used long-acting reversible and the best cost-effective method of contraception [1]. With the increased use and availability of IUCD’s, the number of related problems is also increasing. It is associated with certain problems like irregular vaginal bleeding, menorrhagia, lower abdominal pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and very rarely some dangerous problems like uterine perforation and transmigration of IUCD to near by organs [2,3].

The most common problem reported is missing thread and that can be the indication of the potential problems like accidentally expelled IUCD, torn-off or retracted IUCD, malpositioned IUCD (abnormal location within the uterus and partially/completely embedded in the uterine myometrium) [4] or transmigrated IUCD (extrauterine location) [1]. The incidence of misplaced IUCD due to uterine perforation varies and is approximately 0.3-2.6/1000 insertions [5-7]. Transmigration of IUCD to the pouch of Douglas, mesentry, bladder, colon, omentum, rectum and ureter has been reported in the literature [8-13].

Its incidence is affected by multiple factors like parity, the timing of IUCD insertion, the position of the uterus, previous history of abortions, lower segment cesarean section or other cervical surgeries, type of IUCD and provider experience [14]. Chances of perforation of uterus are maximum at the time of insertion of IUCD [15]. The mechanism of transmigration was explained by multiple theories and which importantly includes faulty insertion technique and chronic inflammatory process due to the copper content of the IUCD which leads to the erosion of the wall of the uterus and resultant transmigrated IUCD [16]. The Copper content of the copper containing IUCD lying in the abdominal cavity causes massive tissue response and leads to further complications [17].

The Minimally invasive surgery appears to be the diagnostic as well as a therapeutic technique for the safe removal of dislocated IUCD’s. This study was designed to find out the incidence of dislocated IUCD requiring operative intervention and to study common clinical presentation, investigations required and the preferred surgical method for its retrieval.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective study, conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in a medical college over a period of two years from June’ 2016 to June’ 2018. Total 20 patients with dislocated IUCD in whom surgical intervention was required for the retrieval of IUCD were recruited. Case records from the Medical Record Department and Family Planning Unit of the institution were analysed.

Data were entered in a pre-designed performa which included detailed demographic profile, clinical presentation, type of IUCD, time of insertion, duration of IUCD in situ examination findings, investigations required to localise the IUCD, surgical procedure required and intraoperative findings. Data were also reviewed on the use of pelvic ultrasonography and/or abdominal X-ray to diagnose the condition and to find out the exact position of IUCD.

In general, patients were subjected to ultrasonography pelvis (2D/3D) and plain X-ray abdomen/pelvis (If required) to confirm the presence and to localise the IUCD, before planning the surgical procedure (hysteroscopy or laparoscopy/laparotomy) [Table/Fig-1,2].

Plain X-ray Abdomen showing IUCD in the pelvic region (oblique position).

A 3D USG showing IUCD within the uterine cavity.

Statistical Analysis

Data entry and statistical analysis were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. The analysis was done in the form of percentages and proportions and represented as tables wherever necessary.

Results

Total 20 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 27.5 (22-35) years and parity ranged from 1-3. Patients were comparable with regards to age and parity. An 85% (17/20) patients had CuT 380 A and 15% (3/20) had multiload type of IUCD. An 80% (16/20) IUCD were inserted in postpartum phase and 20% (4/20) as an interval IUCD. Among postpartum IUCD (16/20), 10 were inserted immediately post-placental after normal vaginal delivery and 6 were inserted at the time of cesarean section. X-ray abdomen was done only in 3 cases with misplaced/transmigrated IUCD and ultrasonography pelvis was done in remaining 17 cases. Four patients with malpositioned IUCD (4/17) already got X-ray abdomen done before they came to this institute.

Total number of IUCD inserted during this period in our institute was 482. Surgical intervention was required in only 4.1% (20/482), out of which in 3.52% patients (17/482) IUCD was lying within the uterus (free/embedded in uterine wall) [Table/Fig-3,4] and in 0.6% patients (3/482) IUCD was lying in the peritoneal cavity after complete uterine perforation requiring laparoscopy [Table/Fig-5].

Hysteroscopic image of IUCD lying free in the uterine cavity at the fundus.

IUCD lying embedded in the lateral wall of the uterus (Hysteroscopic image).

Distribution of patients according to the surgical method for removal.

Surgical procedureNo. of patients (N=20)Percentage (%)
Malpositioned IUCD (Intra-uterine)1785
Removed under anaesthesia using long artery forceps423.53
Hysteroscopic removal1376.47
Misplaced IUCD (Extra-uterine)315
Laparoscopic removal3100
Laparotomy00

Majority of patients, 65% (13/20) were presented with missing thread as the most common complaint in the OPD. Other clinical features were pain abdomen and irregular vaginal bleeding [Table/Fig-6].

Distribution of patients according to the clinical complaints.

Clinical featuresNo. of patients (n=20)Percentage (%)
Missing thread1365
Pain abdomen210
Irregular vaginal bleeding525

In 85% (17/20) of patients, IUCD were lying in the uterine cavity and in 15% (3/20), in the peritoneal cavity [Table/Fig-7,8]. A 64.70% (11/17) IUCD were lying free and 35.29% (6/17) were lying embedded in the uterine cavity. [Table/Fig-9]. All misplaced/transmigrated IUCD’s were removed by operative laparoscopy (100%) and none required laparotomy [Table/Fig-10].

Laparoscopic image of IUCD embedded within omentum.

Distribution of patients according to the location of IUCD.

Location of IUCDNo. of patients n=20 (%)
Extra-uterine (Misplaced IUCD)3 (15%)
Omental adhesions2 (10%)
POD (buried under adhesions)1 (5%)
Intra-uterine (Malpositioned)17 (85%)
Fundus8 (47.05%)
Mid-cavity4 (23.52%)
Cervical canal5 (29.41%)

Distribution of patients with malpositioned IUCD (Intra-uterine) according to the position on hysteroscopy/USG.

LocationNo. of patients (n=17)Percentage (%)
Lying free in the uterine cavity1164.70
Straight872.72
Oblique218.18
Inverted19.09
Lying embedded in the uterine cavity635.29
Anterior wall233.33
Fundus116.66
Lateral wall233.33
Previous Lower segment caesarean section scar site116.66

Details of patients with misplaced/Transmigrated IUCD.

PatientsType of IUCDTime of insertionSymptomsLocation of IUCDOperative timeComplications/Duration of stay
First patientCuT 380AIntervalMissing threadOmental adhesions30 minNil/48 hrs
Second patientCuT 380APostpartumPain abdomenPOD (buried under adhesion)20 minNil/36 hrs
Third patientCuT 380AIntervalPain abdomenOmental adhesions40 minNil/48 hrs

Discussion

Although a very small number of dislocated IUCD patients presented with acute symptoms requiring urgent surgery, mostly patients had no symptoms, and therefore had planned surgery. Despite of this, the current guidelines recommends that all dislocated IUCD’s should be removed surgically [18]. In the present study, the incidence of dislocated IUCD’s requiring operative interventions was 4.1% and the results are similar to the retrospective study conducted by Marchi NM et al., over 19 years duration, that showed incidence of 4.96% [19]. Sharma R and Suneja A, conducted a similar retrospective study in 2018 over five years duration in a tertiary care centre and showed incidence of 1.9% which is much lower than the current study [20]. This shows that the incidence of these complications is very rare and this should not be the reason to defer IUCD insertion. Proper counseling regarding benefits and complications is necessary before IUCD insertion. In this study, IUCD was intra-uterine (malpositioned) in location in 85% (17/20) patients. According to Gupta M and Jain G, Sun X et al., Marchi NM et al., Barsaul M et al., and Lawal SO et al., 90.6%, 70.40%, 98%, 79.93% and 63.48% patients respectively, had an IUCD inside the uterine cavity [1,7,19,21,22].

In this study, 65% (13/20) patients required hysteroscopic guided removal, in 20% (4/20) IUCD it was removed using long artery forceps under anaesthesia, 15% had laparoscopic removal and none required laparotomy. Similarly, Gupta M and Jain G, showed hysteroscopic guided removal in 68.75% patients (22/32), long artery forceps guided removal in 21.8% (7/32), laparoscopic removal in 6.25% (2/32) patients and laparotomy was done in 3.12% (1/32) patients [1]. Trivedi SS et al., conducted a study over 38 patients with missing thread and showed that in 92.1% (35/38) patients hysteroscopic guided removal was done and in only one patient (2.8%) laparotomy was done [23]. Sun X et al., has done a retrospective observational study over a period of eight years and included 98 patients [7], showed that among transmigrated IUCD, 75.9% had laparoscopy, 17.2% laparoscopy with hysteroscopy, 3.4% laparotomy and in 3.4% cystoscopy for the retrieval of IUCD and hysteroscopy was done for all who had an IUCD within the uterine cavity.

Frances R et al., done a systematic review (1997-2010) and identified 129 cases of transmigrated IUCD (within peritoneal cavity) in 30 studies, showing that 72.09% patients had laparoscopic removal and 27.9% had laparotomy for IUCD retrieval [18]. In 27 patients laparoscopies were converted to laparotomy due to the complexity of the procedure. In the present study, 15% (3/20) patients had complete uterine perforation and resultant transmigrated IUCD. Gupta M and Jain G, Varun N et al., Sun X et al., Marchi NM et al., and Elahi N and Koukab H, reported 9.37%, 5.56%, 29.95%, 0.6%, and 28.57% respectively of cases of IUCD migration to the peritoneal cavity [1,5,7,19,24]. This showed that there is a large variation in the incidence of transmigrated/misplaced IUCD.

Symptomatology of dislocated IUCD varies and it includes unwanted pregnancy [25], missing thread, pain lower abdomen, irregular vaginal bleeding and symptoms specific to organ perforated in case of transmigrated IUCD like chronic pelvic pain, lower urinary tract symptoms [26], peritonitis and fistula. In the current study missing thread was the most common complaint (65%). Results were similar to a study conducted by Mosley FR et al., where almost half of patients (48.1%) had missing thread as the most common complaint followed by (28.7%) presented with unwanted pregnancy, (17.8%) with pain, (4.7%) with irregular vaginal bleeding, and (0.8%) presented with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease [18]. Sun X et al., showed that (42.85%) patients were asymptomatic and most common clinical complaint was lower abdominal pain (25.51%). Missing thread was the presenting complaint in only (8.16%) patients which is much lower than the current study [7].

Ultrasonography and plain X-ray abdomen/pelvis are the main modalities for the diagnosis of dislocated IUCD. Ultrasonography is the initial investigation and plain X-ray abdomen/pelvis is indicated only if IUCD is not localised on USG or in case of non-availability of ultrasonography [3]. Abdominal Computed Tomography scan/Magnetic Resonance imaging may be required very rarely in cases of transmigrated/misplaced IUCD [14]. Accurate localisation of IUCD is essential before planning a surgical procedure as it affects the type of surgical procedure, success of procedure, complications encountered, need of additional intraoperative procedures like proctoscopy/cystoscopy, ensuring necessary equipments and specialist required and consent required preoperatively. WHO has recommended the removal of misplaced IUCD, irrespective of place and position, as early as possible, even in asymptomatic patients [27,28]. This is to prevent the future fibrosis and adhesion formation and in few cases may result in transmigration/penetration into adjacent pelvic/abdominal organs including the urinary bladder, small bowel, sigmoid colon and appendix. Minimally invasive surgeries are the diagnostic and therapeutic choice for the dislocated IUCD’s now-a-days. They impart high success rate in the retrieval of dislocated IUCD’s [9]. A literature review of surgical methods for the removal of IUCD showed that 93% cases were done laparoscopically but cases of organ perforations had laparotomies in 57.1% of cases [29].

Limitation

The main limitation in our study was the smaller number of patients. The data is from the single institute and results would be better if it’s a multi-centric study.

Conclusion

Most common presenting complaint of misplaced/malpositioned IUCD is missing thread followed by pain lower abdomen. Dislocated IUCD requiring operative interventions is very rare and this should not be the reason to defer IUCD insertion or use. Minimally invasive surgery is the treatment of choice. Awareness of people about this safe, effective, long-acting and reversible method of contraception is required in developing countries like India. Every effort should be made to lower down its complications and failure rates, so that more people can be counseled about this method. Proper counseling and follow-up needs to be ensured.

References

[1]Gupta M, Jain G, Misplaced IUCD: Challenges and Management PJSR 2016 9(2):14-17.  [Google Scholar]

[2]Weerasekera A, Wijesinghe P, Nugaduwa W, Sigmoid colocolic fistula caused by intrauterine device migration: A case report J Med Case Reports 2014 8:8110.1186/1752-1947-8-8124594141  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[3]Raj AD, Singh MK, Soma MM, Misplaced IUCD: A case report Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2018 7:2979-81.10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20182922  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[4]Nigam A, Ahmad A, Gupta N, Kumari A, Malpositioned IUCD: The menace of postpartum IUCD insertion BMJ Case Rep 2015 2015:bcr201521142410.1136/bcr-2015-21142426290564  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[5]Varun N, Nigam A, Gupta N, Misplaced IUCD: A case report Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2017 6:5155-7.10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20175044  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[6]O’Brien PA, Pillai S, Uterine perforation by intrauterine devices: A 16-year review J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2017 43(4):289-95.10.1136/jfprhc-2016-10168428739631  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[7]Sun X, Xue M, Deng X, Lin Y, Tan Y, Wei X, Clinical characteristic and intraoperative findings of uterine perforation patients in using of intrauterine devices (IUDs) Gynecol Surg 2018 15(1):310.1186/s10397-017-1032-229386988  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[8]Bendjaballah A, Habarek M, Laparoscopic removal of migrated intra-uterine device case report and literature review IntInv J MedMed Sci 2017 4(5):66-70.  [Google Scholar]

[9]Cheung L M, Rezai S, Jackman J M, Patel N D, Bernaba B Z, Hakimian O, Retained Intrauterine Device (IUD): Triple Case Report and Review of the Literature Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2018 vol. 2018Article ID 9362962, 8 pages, . https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/936296210.1155/2018/936296230627466  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[10]Bozkurt IH, Basmaci I, Yonguc T, Aydogdu O, Aydin ME, Hydronephrosis due to a migrated intrauterine device into the ureter: A very rare case Eurasian J Med 2018 50(2):137-38.10.5152/eurasianjmed.2017.1715730002585  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[11]Neumann DA, Graversen JA, Pugh SK, Intrauterine device embedded in omentum of postpartum patient with a markedly retroverted uterus: A case report J Med Case Rep 2017 11(1):29910.1186/s13256-017-1480-329065904  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[12]Ye H, Huang S, Zhou Q, Yu J, Xi C, Cao L, Migration of a foreign body to the rectum: A case report and literature review Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 97(28):e1151210.1097/MD.000000000001151229995819  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[13]Alabi TO, Keshavamurthy M, Ahmed S, Ojewola RW, Jain M, Tijani KH, Combined laparoscopic and cystoscopic retrieval of forgotten translocated intrauterine contraceptive device Niger J Surg 2018 24(1):48-51.10.4103/njs.NJS_18_1729643735  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[14]Sinha M, Gupta R, Tiwari A, Minimally invasive surgical approach to retrieve migrated intrauterine contraceptive device Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2013 2:147-51.10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20130607  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[15]Nigam A, Biswas R, Mishra A, Misplaced intrauterine contraceptive device: An enigma Open Access J Contracept 2011 2:1-3.10.2147/OAJC.S14488  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[16]Johri V, Vyas KC, Misplaced Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices: common errors; uncommon complications J Clin Diagn Res 2013 7(5):905-07.10.7860/JCDR/2013/5287.298223814739  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[17]Gunbey HP, Sayit AT, Idilman IS, Aksoy O, Migration of intrauterine devices with radiological findings: Report on two cases BMJ Case Reports 2014 2014:bcr201320252210.1136/bcr-2013-20252224827647  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[18]Mosley FR, Shahi N, Kurer MA, Elective surgical removal of migrated intrauterine contraceptive devices from within the peritoneal cavity: a comparison between open and laparoscopic removal JSLS 2012 16(2):236-41.10.4293/108680812X1342798237726523477171  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[19]Marchi NM, Castro S, Hidalgo MM, Hidalgo C, Monteiro-Dantas C, Villarroeal M, Management of missing strings in users of intrauterine contraceptives Contraception 2012 86(4):354-58.10.1016/j.contraception.2012.01.01822459233  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[20]Sharma R, Suneja A, Incarcerated and transmigrated intrauterine contraceptive devices managed at a tertiary care teaching hospital of East Delhi: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis J Obstet Gynecol India 2018 10.1007/s13224-018-1159-831178644  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[21]Barsaul M, Sharma N, Sangwan K, 324 cases of misplaced IUCD: A 5-year study Trop Doct 2003 33(1):1-12.10.1177/00494755030330010712568511  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[22]Lawal SO, Giwa-Osagie OF, Ogedengbe OK, Usifoh C, A review of referred IUCD related problems in Lagos University Teaching Hospital West Afr J Med 1993 12(3):144-47.  [Google Scholar]

[23]Trivedi SS, Goel M, Jain S, Hysteroscopic management of intra-uterine devices with lost strings Br J Fam Plann 2000 26:229-30.10.1783/147118900101194652  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[24]Elahi N, Koukab H, Diagnosis and management of lost intrauterine contraceptive device J Pak Med Assoc 2002 52(1):18-20.  [Google Scholar]

[25]Huertas-Velasco MA, Gómez-Rubio MG, Endoscopic removal of intrauterine device penetrated through the rectal wall Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas 2012 104(8):432-33.10.4321/S1130-0108201200080000723039804  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[26]Shin DG, Kim TN, Lee W, Intrauterine device embedded into the bladder wall with stone formation: Laparoscopic removal is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery Int Urogynecol J 2012 23(8):1129-31.10.1007/s00192-011-1632-822189515  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[27]Singhal SR, Marwah DS, Paul A, Singhal SK, Missed intra uterine device: A rare indication for appendicectomy review of literature East Central Afr J Surg 2010 15(2):156-58.  [Google Scholar]

[28]World Health Organization (WHO); Mechanism of action, safety and efficacy of intrauterine devices, WHO Technical Report. WHO Geneva; Switzerland. 1987;753  [Google Scholar]

[29]Arslan A, Kanat-Pektas M, Yesilyurt H, Bilge U, Colon penetration by a copper intrauterine device: A case report with literature review Arch Gyneco Obstet 2009 279(3):395-97.10.1007/s00404-008-0716-218592260  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]