Hand-held device to remove a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant: Results of early trials in Sweden

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as subdermal implants and intrauterine devices are promoted and increasingly used worldwide. Hence, in the light of this we also need to ensure easy access to the reversibility, i.e. emphasise the R in LARC. Our overall aim is to develop a device to facilitate implant removals. We evaluated the safety and performance of the two initial field prototypes where the main outcome was percentage of successful fixations and secondary outcomes were percentage of successful removals without the use of additional tools, duration of the procedure, satisfaction and adverse events. We performed a feasibility study including 41 subjects. We estimated a fixation rate of 35/41 (85%) and an overall removal rate of 24/41 (59%). Further, we measured that the median time for removals was 80 s and that subjects and operators were satisfied with the procedure. We recorded adverse events such as bruising and superficial abrasions. The device demonstrated a successful fixation rate, however, the removal rate will need to be further improved. This feasibility study shows that the device has potential and further research is needed to modify and optimize the device.