Emergent Laparoscopic Removal of a Perforating Intrauterine Device During Pregnancy Under Regional Anesthesia

To describe and demonstrate a technique for laparoscopic removal of a perforating intrauterine device (IUD) during pregnancy, and to provide tips to facilitate safe laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy.

Video presentation of the technique for laparoscopic removal of a perforating IUD in a pregnant woman.

Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences, and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

A 30-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, with a copper T IUD (Nova T 380; Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany) perforating the left adnexa presented to the emergency room complaining of left lower quadrant pain. The patient had the IUD inserted by her gynecologist 3 months before the onset of the symptoms. Ultrasound revealed a 6-week intrauterine pregnancy with the presence of fetal cardiac activity along with the IUD perforating the left adnexa. The patient returned at 11 weeks of gestation complaining of worsening abdominal pain and excruciating left lower quadrant pain. She was scheduled for laparoscopic excision of the perforating IUD [1-3]. Considering her pregnancy, laparoscopy under regional anesthesia was performed in the minimal Trendelenburg position at 12 degrees, through open laparoscopic access [4]. Intra-abdominal pressure of 8 mmHg and ultrasound energy to cut and coagulate, avoiding monopolar/bipolar energy owing to the presence of a copper IUD, were used. The IUD and tube were extracted in an endobag through umbilical access, under a 5-mm, 0-degree telescope in left lateral access [5]. The procedure was carried out uneventfully, and the IUD was removed. Fetal viability was confirmed after the procedure. At the time of this report, the patient was in the 23rd week of gestation, and the pregnancy was progressing without any problems.

Laparoscopic removal of perforated IUD during pregnancy under regional anesthesia is a feasible and safe option that should be considered when needed.