Case report: Contraceptive implant migration

J Family Med Prim Care. 2024 Jan;13(1):375-377. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1078_23. Epub 2024 Feb 8.

Abstract

Subdermal contraceptive implants are one of the effective and reversible methods of contraception available today. Implanon is a Saudi FDA-approved contraceptive that is commonly used by the Saudi population. Along with their hormonal side effects such as mood changes and acne, subdermal contraceptive implants can also lead to more life-threatening, albeit rare, mishaps, such as the deeper migration of them into the axillary and thoracic structures. Only a few cases exist in the literature regarding these rare complications. In this case report, we describe the case of a 31-year-old woman presenting with ulnar neuropathy due to deep proximal migration 3 years after the insertion of an Implanon. The foreign body was removed using intraoperative image-enhancing fluoroscopy, with neurological symptoms being resolved as a result.

Keywords: Arm; Implanon; contraception; foreign-body migration; ulnar neuropathies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports