REMOVAL OF DEEP IMPLANT

You have been referred to Community Healthcare for removal of your contraceptive Implant, either because it has been assessed as difficult to remove or because it has not been possible to identify the implant in your arm.

The specialist team will explain the procedure in more details when you attend and will get your signature on a standard consent form to document your consent to go ahead with the procedure.

You will be allowed to ask questions and can get further clarification about the procedure and related matters.

The procedure may involve using an ultrasound machine to identify the location of the Implant in your arm.

Once the specialist is satisfied that the Implant can be seen and removed, your skin will be cleaned, and a small amount of local anaesthetic will be injected into the skin to numb the area before making a small incision (usually less than 2 cm long).

There is a small chance of reaction to cleaning agent or anaesthetic injection so please let us know if you have experienced reaction to such agents or any medications prior to the procedure.

Occasionally the Implant can be close to some nerves and blood vessels within the arm. Although great care is taken in removing the
Implant, very rarely the procedure could cause injury to any of these nerves and blood vessels.

There may be some bruising around the wound after the procedure, so a pressure bandage may be put on your arm. It is important to keep this bandage clean and dry.

You may use your arm normally but must take extra care to avoid any infection at the wound site. The bandage can be removed after 72 hours.

You may require taking simple pain killers (e.g., paracetamol) for a few days afterward if necessary.

The wound will be closed using either Steristrips (which should come off after 5 days) or non-absorbable stitches which would need
removal after 7-10 days.

Please request an appointment with your GP to arrange stitch removal.

You will have a small scar at the removal site once this has healed.

If you notice the area becomes red, hot, swollen, or painful or if there is any discharge from the wound, please seek medical advice
from your GP or NHS 111 immediately so that appropriate treatment can be given.

Please note:

• Unless the Implant is being removed for a planned pregnancy, please start an ongoing method of contraception before removal.
• You should allow 45 minutes or longer for this appointment. If you are more than 10 minutes late for your appointment it may have
to be rescheduled.
• Please do not bring children to this procedure appointment as we do not have dedicated childcare facilities.
• Although every effort will be given to remove the implant at this appointment, it may not be always possible. You may require a referral to a different specialist or to a Plastic Surgeon for very a difficult removal.