[Diagnosis and treatment of intra-uterine contraceptive devices retained during pregnancy].

68 pregnancies were observed with an intrauterine device in place, and the threat no longer visible in the cervical canal. The various diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities are described. Ultra-sonography is capable of localizing the I.U.C.D. in 4/5 of the cases. In some cases a positive identification of the I.U.C.D. is only possible by radiographic methods. In order to reduce the maternal risk of infection and to increase the chances for an uncomplicated course of the pregnancy the intra-uterine device needs to be extracted even when the threat is no longer visible. The hysteroscopic localization and extraction was found to be the safest and most effective method of retrieval. Among 26 cases, removal was feasible in 25 cases, and 21 pregnancies remained undisturbed.