In Situ Breakage of Implanon® - Two Cases of a Rare Occurrence

• Author(s): Torres, R ; Mendes, N ; Machado, AI ; Marques, C
• Date: 2013
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.17/1413
• Origin: Repositório do Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, EPE
• Subject(s): Contraceptive Agents, Female/administration & dosage; Contraceptive Agents, Female/adverse effects; Desogestrel/administration & dosage; Desogestrel/adverse effects; Device Removal; Drug Implants; Equipment Failure; Family Planning Services; Portugal; MAC GIN
• Document Type: Journal article
• Language: English
• Contributor(s): Repositório da Unidade Local de Saúde São José

Description

BACKGROUND: In situ breakage of Implanon® is a rare occurrence with unknown clinical significance. Authors report two different cases of broken Implanon® of women attended at our Family Planning Clinic. DISCUSSION: In situ implants may spontaneously and asymptomatically break, although some uncertainty relies on whether that situation has a real impact on the contraceptive effectiveness or on bleeding patterns. Even more, it can be argued if, as a result of an occurrence of that nature, the implant shall or shall not be removed before the envisaged 3-year period of effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Currently, the clinical significance of implant breakage remains unknown. The decision to remove a broken or bent implant should be based on clinical judgements considering patients' wishes.