[Results of the follow-up of the position of intra-uterine device by ultra-sonography (author's transl)]

Abstract

The position of the intra-uterine device copper-T in 1372 women was followed up by ultrasound for four years. During this time 2565 ultrasound studies for the position of the intra-uterine device were carried out. The intra-uterine device was found in the cervix in 81 ultrasound investigations and removed or exchanged. In 12 cases the device was pushed back into the uterine cavity. 12 women became pregnant. This corresponds to a Pearl index 0.72 with a mean insertion time of 14.6 months and 20.000 patient-months of wearing of an intra-uterine device. In 9 of the 12 pregnant cases the device was found in the cervix. 6 of these patients reported only once instead of the projected four times for ultra-sound follow-up and the last normal ultrasound follow-up was usually nine months or longer ago. Our findings suggest that the contraceptive effectiveness of an intra-uterine device can be improved by regular ultra-sonic control of the position and can by approximated to the effectiveness of hormonal contraception.

PIP: A report of 2565 ultrasonic examinations of 1372 women to determine the position of a Copper T IUD is presented. The mean length of IUD use was 14.6 months. In 139 cases the IUD was found in an intracervical position; in 93 of these cases the position of the IUD in the cervix was verified by pelvic examination and reinserted or replaced in 81 cases. The pregnancy rate was 12 for 20,031 use-months, corresponding to a Pearl index of .72. In 9 of these 12 pregnancies, the IUD was found in the intracervical position, and in the majority of these cases the most recent ultrasonic examination had been done more than 6 months previously. A large number of IUDs were found in an intracervical position in the first 2 months after insertion. It is recommended that an ultrasonic examination to determine the position of an IUD be given a few days following the insertion, after each of the first 2 months following insertion, and every 3-6 months afterwards.