Woman in Her 20s Suffers Contraceptive Implant Damage: "How Did It End Up Like This?" What Happened

A rare case has been reported in which a contraceptive implant was damaged inside the body due to external impact. According to The Financial News, the patient went to the hospital after noticing that the implant in her arm felt different from usual.
According to obstetrics and gynecology staff at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, a 27-year-old African American woman visited the clinic complaining of an unusual foreign-body sensation after receiving a contraceptive implant. The procedure, also known as "Implanon," involves inserting a small rod-shaped device that releases progestin under the skin of the upper arm. A single insertion is generally known to provide contraceptive protection for about three years.
The woman reported that the position of the device had not changed, but its shape felt abnormal. There was no visible bleeding or distinct wound on the skin surface. However, X-ray imaging revealed that the implant had fractured. The broken fragments remained in the insertion site in a deformed state.
After discussing options with the patient, the medical team decided to perform surgery to remove the damaged implant. The device had broken internally due to trauma. Fortunately, no additional bleeding occurred after the removal procedure. The clinicians explained, "It is extremely rare for a contraceptive implant to fracture while it is inserted in the body."
Contraceptive implant insertion is performed under local anesthesia by placing the device on the inner side of the upper arm, and the procedure is relatively quick and simple. Immediately afterward, bruising or pain in the arm may occur and can last for up to a week. In such cases, keeping the arm bandaged for 24 hours can help relieve discomfort. However, small scars may remain at the insertion and removal sites, and side effects such as headaches, skin changes, or breast pain may also appear.
After the procedure, patients should avoid pressing or handling the area too firmly until the device settles into place. If the shape, length, or feel of the implant seems different from usual, they should seek medical attention immediately.
This case was recently published in the medical journal Cureus.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter