[The problem of the lost intrauterine contraceptive device (author's transl)].

Report on 18 patients who were treated in hospital during the last 4 years because of a lost intrauterine contraceptive device. Carbon dioxide hysteroscopy was found to be a more advantageous diagnostic procedure in the search than radiography. In 14 cases, the intrauterine contraceptive device was grasped and removed under hysteroscopic control. In 4 cases the uterine cavity was empty on hysteroscopy. The device had perforated into the uterine muscle or into the peritoneal cavity. These 4 cases are reported in detail.