[Low-carat gold intrauterine device for contraception 44 years in the uterus]

We report on a patient who retained a low-carat gold IUD in her uterus for 44 years. The IUD, which may have been hand-made, has one long and one short arm. The long arm lays within the uterine cavity and the short arm protruded from the cervical canal. The intrauterine device was inserted prior to the second World War. Since she tolerated it well, the patient did not seek regular medical check-ups. At 80 years of age, she complained of lower abdominal pain and the IUD was removed. The patient is suspected to have an ovarian tumor.