Long-term experience with the use of a single histrelin implant beyond one year in patients with central precocious puberty.

OBJECTIVES

The histrelin implant has been used to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) for more than 15 years. Although approved for annual use, limited published reports suggest that a single implant is efficacious well beyond a year. Our objective was to report our long-term experience using a single histrelin implant for more than 12 months in children with CPP.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 170 children with central precocious puberty treated with a single histrelin implant for more than 1 year.

RESULTS

Implants were left in situ for an average of 24 months. Pubertal development regressed or remained stable in the vast majority of patients and biochemical suppression was maintained. No correlation between time since an implant was placed and complications such as implant breakage or a second incision was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

A single histrelin implant provides excellent pubertal suppression well beyond a year. Extended use of a single histrelin implant should be considered standard of care in children with CPP.