Comparative study of interval versus postpartum Cu-T insertion in a Central Referral Hospital of North East India

Abstract

Background: Aim of current study was to compare interval and postpartum Cu-T (380A) insertion in terms of safety and immediate outcome. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study where retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in the department of OBG, SMIMS, Gangtok, from April 2011 to April 2012 were taken for evaluation. 164 women who were inserted Cu-T after delivery and in the interval period were studied. 80 were inserted Cu-T at post-partum period (36 after vaginal delivery and 44 intra caesarean) while 84 were inserted at interval period. Follow up was done at 6 weeks and 3 months. Outcome was measured by tail visibility at 6 weeks and 3 months, spontaneous expulsion rate, removal rate and perception of insertion using visual analog scale (0-5). Results: Tail visibility at 6 weeks and 3 months was less in post-partum than that of interval insertion. Spontaneous expulsion rate was nil in post-partum while 5/84 (5.95%) in interval insertion. Perception of insertion for doctor and client was easiest in intra Caesarean (0) while difficult in interval (4). Removal rate was 1/80(1 %) in post-partum and 9/84 (10.7%) in interval. Conclusions: Study suggested that post-partum insertion is more effective than interval Cu-T insertion with low expulsion rate and complications compared to interval insertion.