Expulsion of Nova-T380, Multiload 375, and Copper-T380A contraceptive devices inserted during cesarean delivery

To compare the expulsion rate of Nova-T380, Multiload 375, and Copper-T380A intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) inserted during cesarean delivery.

A comparative randomized study was conducted between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014, in three maternity centers in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. All women scheduled for an elective cesarean and accepting intraoperative insertion of an IUCD were randomly allocated to receive the Nova-T380 (group 1), Multiload 375 (group 2), or Cu-T380A (group 3) using a computer-generated table. Researchers and participants were not masked to the type of IUCD. Follow-up was for 1 year. The primary outcome was IUCD expulsion (complete or partial [i.e. displacement]).

Each group contained 40 participants. At 1 year, expulsion had been reported for 5 (13%) women in group 1, 2 (5%) in group 2, and 6 (15%) in group 3 (P>0.05 for all). The frequency of displacement was significantly lower in group 2 (5 [13%] participants) than in group 1 (15 [38%]; P=0.001) and group 3 (14 [35%]; P=0.008).

Despite a comparable risk of expulsion following IUCD insertion during cesarean delivery, the Multiload 375 device showed the lowest risk of displacement.