Surgical removal of an intrauterine device perforating the sigmoid colon: a case report

Int J Surg. 2008 Dec;6(6):e60-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2007.02.006. Epub 2007 Feb 27.

Abstract

Background: Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are among the most common contraceptive methods in the world, but have been associated with extrauterine dislocation and bowel perforation. We report a case of an IUD perforation of the sigmoid colon.

Case report: A 35-year-old woman with complaints of abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea underwent exploratory laparotomy. During the procedure, a left tubo-ovarian abscess was found as well as an IUD extruding through the uterine cavity with the two wings of the device entirely in the lumen of the sigmoid colon. The patient had total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with resection of the sigmoid colon.

Conclusion: This is a report of a symptomatic perforation by an IUD into the sigmoid colon after a period of 10years in situ.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Colon, Sigmoid / injuries*
  • Device Removal
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Perforation / etiology
  • Intestinal Perforation / surgery*
  • Intrauterine Devices / adverse effects*