Spontaneous snapping of an Implanon in two halves in situ

A 30-year-old woman presented at our family planning clinic for Implanon removal and reinsertion. At the time of presentation the patient's weight was 148 kg. The Implanon was fitted in July 2000 (i.e. 35 months previously) when her weight was 138.5 kg. The patient was very happy with the contraceptive method. She was aware that her Implanon had snapped in half about 2 months ago. There was no aggravating factor such as weightlifting associated with this incidence.