Researchers conducted this study to determine whether or not the migration of the Implanon® rod does occur if correctly positioned and, if indeed migration does occur, to measure the degree of such migration.
Of the 100 women studied, 95 were seen for follow-up at three months. There was no migration of Implanon in 58 patients. Concerning the degree of migration, all but one case showed less than 2 cm either cranially or caudally. At 1-year follow-up, 87 patients were seen. In the remaining 48 patients where migration had occurred, 44 showed migration caudally, and only four demonstrated cranial migration, which was over 2 cm in one case. Concerning the degree of migration, all but one point showed less than 2 cm either cranially or caudally. The measurement in the single case showing migration over 2 cm at three months remained the same at the 1-year follow-up.
These results show that up to 1 year after the insertion of Implanon, the rod’s significant migration does not occur. The degree of migration noted in all cases except one was less than 2 cm. Where migration was reported, in the majority of cases, this occurred caudally towards the insertion site. There were no cases of deep migration.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/32/3/157
