Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2025 Mar;14(3):1131-1134.
doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1371_24. Epub 2025 Mar 25.

Complication of Nexplanon contraceptive implant requiring intramuscular removal from biceps: A Case Report

Harvey Wang  1 , Yogesh Kolwadkar  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Complication of Nexplanon contraceptive implant requiring intramuscular removal from biceps: A Case Report

Harvey Wang et al. J Family Med Prim Care. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Implantable contraceptives provide a temporary, long-acting, and reversible form of contraception. Implant migration is a rare complication, with potential damage to the musculature or neurovascular structures. This is a case of a Nexplanon implant migration into the biceps brachii muscle, requiring surgical removal. Implants that become non-palpable should be immediately visualized with imaging to prevent further nerve or vascular injury and subsequently be removed.

Keywords: Biceps; Nexplanon; contraceptive implant; family medicine; foreign body; migration; obstetrics and gynecology; orthopedic surgery; radiology.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pre-operative x-ray visualizing the implant in the medial aspect of the arm. It is indeterminate at this time whether it is located within the muscle fascia or the muscle itself
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intraoperative picture of the microvasculature bundle within the medial upper arm while searching for a contraceptive implant
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intraoperative picture showing a contraceptive implant embedded within the biceps brachii muscle
Figure 4
Figure 4
Intraoperative picture of contraceptive implant removal after muscle dissection from the surgical wound
Figure 5
Figure 5
Post-operative x-ray showing complete removal of the implant
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Stanley A, Chike-Harris K, Chinnis S, Durham C. Adolescent contraception management: A review of medical options. J Nurse Pract. 2023;19:104639.
    1. Moray KV, Chaurasia H, Sachin O, Joshi B. A systematic review on clinical effectiveness, side-effect profile and meta-analysis on continuation rate of etonogestrel contraceptive implant. Reprod Health. 2021;18:4. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Palomba S, Falbo A, Di Cello A, Materazzo C, Zullo F. Nexplanon: The new implant for long-term contraception. A comprehensive descriptive review. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012;28:710–21. - PubMed
    1. Barlow-Evans R, Jaffer K, Balogun M. Migration of a Nexplanon contraceptive implant to the pulmonary artery. BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017219259. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kong AC, Alfonso MN, Pineda DE, Thorpe MS, Miki RA. Nexplanon removal from intramuscular implantation in biceps: Case report. Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16:3973–6. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources