Far migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device from the uterus to the small bowel

Abstract

A sexually active, asymptomatic 44‐year‐old presented for Intrauterine device (IUD) removal that had been in place for 13 years. IUD removal was unsuccessful as the strings could not be located. Imaging revealed an extrauterine IUD and at surgical removal of the abdominal IUD a small bowel perforation requiring bowel resection was required. Uterine perforation is a rare complication of IUD use occurring in approximately 1–1.3 in 1000. Risk factors for perforation include provider inexperience, retroverted uterus, immobile uterus, and myometrial defect from a previous cesarean delivery or myomectomy.