OUTCOME OF REMOVAL OF INTRAUTERINE-DEVICES WITH FLEXIBLE HYSTEROSCOPYIN EARLY-PREGNANCY

Removal of intrauterine devices (IUDs) in early pregnancy, when the IU Ds threads are not visible at the cervical canal and the patient wishe s to continue her pregnancy, remains a problem. Thirty-three patients using IUDs with nonvisible filaments on examination underwent flexible hysteroscopy for retrieval of the devices and follow-up until deliver y. In all cases, hysteroscopies were performed without cervical dilata tion and anesthesia. In 30 patients, the devices were found within the uterine cavity, and 28 IUDs were removed. In the remaining 3 patients , no IUD was observed. Twenty-four healthy children have been born. Si x other patients requested a dilatation and curettage (D & C) about 1- 2 weeks later after successful IUD removal. In 2 women, examinations w ere done at 22 and 29 weeks antepartum, and these 2 patients were lost to follow up. Operative fiberoptic hysteroscopy is proposed as a usef ul and effective method of retrieval of IUDs in early pregnancy when t he filaments of the IUD are absent.