A reappraisal of intrauterine contraceptive devices

Perforation of the Uterus With the Lippes Loop

“…In the Emory University Family Planning Pro¬ gram the rate of perforation of the uterus with the Lippes loop, 1.1 per 1,000 insertions, does not differ significantly from the rates reported by Hall,2 Ledger and Willson,' and Tietze3 of 0.5 to 2.5 per 1,000 insertions. The Emory rate is significantly lower, however, than the rate of 8.7 per 1,000 in¬ sertions in the Singapore program, reported by Ratnam and Yin.5 Burnhill and Birnberg1 reported that with the Birnberg bow the risk of perforation is greatest in the first 80 days post partum.…”

Intrauterine devices and risk of uterine perforation: current perspectives

“…It is conventional clinical practice to remove all devices that have completely perforated the uterine wall. Originally, this was considered vital 99 as older, now obsolete, devices were “closed” (examples are Gräfenberg ring, Ota ring, Incon ring, Hall-Stone ring, Antigon and Birnberg bow – Figure 1 ) and a loop of bowel could pass through the device with resultant intestinal obstruction. 100 – 103 Ring-shaped IUDs have continued to be used in China until recent years.…”