[Contraceptive implants--aberrations from insertion and removal procedures].
BACKGROUND
Contraceptive implants with progestogens are options for women who need long-term contraception. Implanon which contains etonogestrel (the active metabolite of desogestrel) effectively prohibits ovulation over a period of three years. This study presents aberrations from insertion and removal procedures for Implanon in the period 2 February 2002 - 30 June 2008.


METHODS
Information about sales of Implanon in Norway is taken from statistics provided by Farmastat Norway. Aberrations from procedures for insertion and removal of Implanon are based on reports from doctors to the producer. Non-palpable implants to be removed at Volvat Medical Centre in Oslo, were localized by ultrasound and removed surgically.


RESULTS
In the period 2 February 2002 - 30 June 2008, the producer Organon AS (now Schering- Plough AS) sold 12 898 Implanon implants in Norway and recorded 112 aberrations from existing procedures, the first one 3 March 2003. 18 patients were referred for removal of implants (too deeply inserted) at Volvat Medical Centre in the period 19 January 2004 - 30 June 2008.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of unsuccessful or wrongly inserted implants indicates that doctors should have practiced and be better informed about insertion and removal procedures before using this method. Localization and removal of implants inserted too deeply requires high-frequency ultrasound equipment and surgical experience.
Jørgensen
Nils Petter
NP
Gynekologisk avdeling, Volvat Medisinske Senter, 0303 Oslo, Norway. nils.petter.jorgensen@volvat.no
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; C044815:etonogestrel; D017135:Desogestrel