Key clinical point : In a biomechanical ex vivo analysis, metal uterine sounds caused uterine perforation, but the manufacturer’s plastic intrauterine device placement rod did not.
Major finding: The lowest mean maximum force generated for IUD placement was 12.3 Newtons with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system placement instrument, followed by 14.1 Newtons with the copper T380A intrauterine device placement instrument 14.1 Newtons; the highest mean maximum force of 17.9 N occurred with the metal sound ( P < 0.01).
Study details: The data come from 16 premenopausal women with benign conditions who provided hysterectomy sections at a single center.
Disclosures: The study was funded indirectly through grants to the University of Utah from Bayer, Bioceptive, Sebela, Medicines 360, Merck, and Cooper Surgical. Lead author Dr. Duncan had no financial conflicts to disclose.
Source: Duncan J et al. BMC Womens Health. 2021 Apr 7. doi: 10.1186/s12905-021-01285-6.