title: Intraoperative placement of the Copper T-380 intrauterine devices in women undergoing elective cesarean delivery: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this pilot project was to test the feasibility of a technique designed to place a copper intrauterine device (IUD) through the hysterotomy incision of an elective cesarean delivery to minimize possible contamination and to guarantee that tailstrings were visible in the vagina for easy removal should complications occur.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were monitored in the hospital for signs of infection or excessive blood loss. At the time of hospital discharge and at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum, they were examined to determine the status of the tailstrings. The position of the IUD was assessed by ultrasound at week 6.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All seven of the subjects had successful placement. The sutures tied to the IUD strings were visible on vaginal examination in each case. The original tailstrings were visible in the vagina at 6 weeks and each IUD was fundally positioned.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful intraoperative placement of Copper T-380A IUDs through incision at the time of cesarean birth is possible.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90509-2910, USA. anitanelsonwhc@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Anita L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eden
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D010865:Pilot Projects