Preliminary evidence for the safety and efficacy of a novel method for removal of contraceptive implants: a pilot RCT
- Obstetrics & Gynecology International Journal
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Juliet Prieto MD, Luna Zhang MD, Valerie O’Besso MD, Luke Keating MA, Aldona Chorzepa MS, Ivan Ngai MD, Mengyang Sun MD, Ervin Rene Riano Marin MD, Justin To MD
Abstract
Contraceptive implants are the most effective form of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Implant insertion is standardized; however, the recommended removal method, the pop-out method, may be problematic if the implant does not easily pop-out. We evaluated an alternative removal method with a modified incision location, the To method, in a single-blind pilot randomized control trial of 21 patients. Pain differences, success rates, and procedure time between methods were examined. Results demonstrated that the To method was faster and less painful than the pop out method. This study provides
preliminary evidence to support using the To method for contraceptive implant removal.
Keywords
contraception, long-acting reversible contraception, contraceptive implant, to method, nexplanon
