[The 'lost' intra-uterine contraceptive device (author's transl)].

The authors report five cases of lost intra-uterine devices, which means that the threads were not visible at the external os of the cervix. This gives them an opportunity to review the literature and to conclude the following: 1. Ultra-sound is the treatment of choice to find the position of the IUD that has been lost, whether is is intra- or extra-uterine. 2. In doubtful cases an antero-posterior and a lateral hysterogram makes it possible to determine the relative position of the IUD to the uterine cavity. Laparoscopy gives useful complementary information. 3. If the IUD is intra-uterine, either totally so or partially, the treatment of choice is to remove it under hysteroscopic control. 4. Where perforation has occurred and the IUD has only entered incompletely into the pelvis, it is possible to pull it out under hysteroscopic control through the vagina if laparoscopy has demonstrated that there are no local adhesions attaching it to neighbouring organs. 5. Where perforation has been complete, laparotomy is preferable to laparoscopy as a technique to recover the lost IUD, in particular when this is a copper one. 6. Perforations occur particularly when the IUDs are inserted post-partum.