Handmade frameless levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for Chinese patients

Objective: To prevent the downward migration and expulsion of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), we aimed to develop a handmade, frameless LNG-IUS by combining the GyneFix intrauterine device and LNG-IUS. Method: We connected the LNG-IUS’s tubular column (with the T-shaped arm cut off) to the GyneFix anchor system (with the six copper rings removed) using tail threads and assembled them into a handmade frameless LNG-IUS (GyneFix-LNG-IUS). With the assistance of a hysteroscope, the GyneFix-LNG-IUS was inserted into the uterine fundus using the GyneFix anchor system. A before-after study in the same patients. All 15 recruited patients had a history of intrauterine device expulsion. Result: The handmade production process of the GyneFix-LNG-IUS was simple, and its insertion into the uterus was smooth. None of the 15 patients involved in the preliminary study experienced migration or expulsion of the GyneFix-LNG-IUS. Conclusion: The hand-made GyneFix-LNG-IUS achieved prevention of the downward migration and expulsion of the LNG-IUS, and it is a feasible option for Chinese patients.