US referral center experience removing nonpalpable and difficult contraceptive implants with in-office ultrasonography: A case series

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess referral center outcomes with removal of difficult or nonpalpable contraceptive implants using high-frequency point-of-care ultrasonography. Study DesignWe present a case series examining patients referred to our specialty center from January 2019 through September 2020 for difficult or nonpalpable implant removal. ResultsOf the 54 referrals, 6 had palpable implants and 48 required ultrasonography. We localized 46 (96%) implants in-office, including 13 located subfascially; 2 Implanon implants could not be localized. We successfully completed 50 (96%) of 52 attempted in-office removals, including 12 (92%) subfascial implants. ConclusionHigh-frequency point-of-care ultrasonography can effectively localize nonpalpable contraceptive implants leading to successful in-office removal. ImplicationsSpecialists can use high-frequency point-of-care ultrasonography to localize nonpalpable implants without formal radiology scans and skilled technologists, optimizing patient time and convenience. However, the probe is expensive, and providers may need to consider this cost in the context of reimbursement for these highly specialized procedures.