Article In Press | Published on: August 01, 2026
Volume: 2, Issue: 1
1. Department of General Surgery, Government Mohan Kumaramanaglam Medical College Hospital, Salem, India.
DOI: 10.66609/3066-3911-rpc.24.00556
Corresponding Author: V. M. K. Ayesha Reshma, Department of General Surgery, Government Mohan Kumaramanaglam Medical College Hospital, Salem, India.
Citation: V. M. K. Ayesha Reshma, M. Arulkumaran. (2026). Migration of Copper T to the Anterior Abdominal Wall: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Journal of Surgical Case Reports and Research, RPC Publishers, 2(1); DOI: 10.66609/3066-3911-rpc.24.00556
Copyright: © 2026 V. M. K. Ayesha Reshma, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Background: Uterine perforation and extra-uterine migration of intrauterine devices (IUDs) are uncommon complications. Migration to the anterior abdominal wall is extremely rare, with only sporadic reports in the literature.
Case presentation: We report a 22-year-old woman who presented with one month history of pain and discharge from the umblicus. She had a history of Copper T insertion three years earlier. Clinical examination revealed a firm, non-tender swelling in the lower anterior abdominal wall. Ultrasonography and computed tomography demonstrated a T-shaped metallic foreign body located in the anterior abdominal wall, superficial to the rectus sheath. The device was successfully retrieved through a diagnostic laparoscopy followed by open omphalectomy. The postoperative period was uneventful.
Conclusion: Migration of a Copper T to the anterior abdominal wall is an exceptionally rare occurrence. Missing IUD threads should prompt evaluation for migration. A combination of ultrasound, X-ray, and CT scan aids accurate localization. Surgical retrieval, either laparoscopic or open, remains the definitive management.
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