A Displaced Intrauterine Device Eroding Into the Sigmoid Colon

A 36-year-old female presented to the gynecology office eight weeks after the placement of a ParaGard intrauterine device (IUD). Upon gynecologic examination, the strings of the IUD were not found. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed which reported the IUD embedded in the sigmoid colon. Initial diagnostic laparoscopy was done without bowel preparation and revealed an IUD embedded within the sigmoid colon and mesocolon. Colonoscopy did not reveal any breach of the colonic lumen. A second diagnostic laparoscopy was planned with the robotic-assisted technique after bowel preparation. Intraoperative findings during the second operation identified the IUD embedded in the antimesenteric side of the sigmoid colon with surrounding scar tissue to the uterus. The IUD was sharply freed using robotic scissors and the resulting serosal defect was sutured in layers with buttress made of appendices epiploica. The patient recovered well and had an excellent outcome. Our article highlights the minimally invasive method of dealing with a displaced IUD. The use of the robotic technique was helpful in our case to achieve an excellent outcome.