An intrauterine device disappeared for nine years: a rare case report and literature review - Report - MDSpire

A Case Study of an Intrauterine Device Lost for Nine Years: An Uncommon Occurrence and Review of Existing Literature

  • By

  • Jianfa Wu

  • Huang Chen

  • Qianyi Liao

  • Yuhua Zhang

  • Zhou Liu

  • July 21, 2026

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Clinical Report: A Case Study of an Intrauterine Device Lost for Nine Years

Background

IUDs are widely used for contraception, but they can lead to complications such as displacement into adjacent structures, including the bladder. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with undetected IUD migration.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data available.

Key Findings

  • The IUD can migrate into the urinary bladder, causing symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and dysuria.
  • This case involved a nine-year delay in diagnosis due to atypical symptom presentation.
  • Imaging techniques, including CT and ultrasound, are crucial for diagnosing IUD migration when symptoms are present.
  • Successful surgical retrieval of the IUD was achieved after confirming its location via imaging.
  • Postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should consider IUD complications in patients presenting with unexplained abdominal symptoms.

Conclusion

This case emphasizes the importance of thorough evaluation in patients with IUDs when new or persistent symptoms arise.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Medicine, 2026 -- Case Report: Minimally invasive surgical management of a complex high rectovaginal fistula caused by long-term retained and migrated intrauterine device
  2. Pediatric Cardiology, 2022 -- Trends in Device Choice for Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Infants
  3. Frontiers in Surgery, 2026 -- Case Report: Bioresorbable implant in anterior abdominal wall reconstruction in women of reproductive age. Case Report with pregnancy and a 10-year follow-up
  4. Intrauterine device-related uterine perforation incidence and risk (APEX-IUD): a large multisite cohort study - PubMed
  5. Intravesical IUD Migration: A Systematic Review of a Treatable Cause of Female Sexual Dysfunction | The Journal of Sexual Medicine
  6. Pediatric Cardiology — Closure of Isolated Congenital Ventricular Septal Defects Using a Percutaneous Approach: A Retrospective Analysis of 412 Cases from a Single Institution
  7. WHO Selected Practice Recommendations
  8. Intrauterine device-related uterine perforation incidence and risk (APEX-IUD): a large multisite cohort study - PubMed
  9. (675) Intravesical IUD Migration: A Systematic Review of a Treatable Cause of Female Sexual Dysfunction | The Journal of Sexual Medicine | Oxford Academic

Original Source(s)

An intrauterine device disappeared for nine years: a rare case report and literature review

  • by Jianfa Wu, Huang Chen, Qianyi Liao, Yuhua Zhang, Zhou Liu

  • July 21, 2026

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