Hysteroscopy in the localization and removal of intrauterine devices with “missing strings”

Thirty-three patients using intrauterine contraceptive devices with non-visible filaments on examination underwent hysteroscopy for diagnosis and retrieval of the devices. All cases were performed under local anesthesia, with the exception of 1 for whom additional surgery was planned. In 29 patients, the device was observed in situ and removed under hysteroscopic control. In the remaining 4, no intrauterine device was observable, and translocation was ruled out by x-ray examination. In 1 patient, an IUCD (Dalkon Shield) was embedded in the posterior uterine wall and removed by laparotomy. In the authors' opinion, hysteroscopy can be a useful and effective method in the management of patients with Intrauterine contraceptive devices and “missing strings”.