Outcomes of etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implants: A single center cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of menstrual irregularities, side effects, and discontinuation rates of etonogestrel subdermal implants (ESI) in women attending King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional was carried out based on electronic medical records and a phone-based questionnaire administered to women who underwent ESI insertion in a single tertiary care hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2019 and 2022. The primary objective was the prevalence of menstrual abnormalities. The secondary study objective included the discontinuation rate, reasons for discontinuation, and ESI side effects. RESULTS: In total, 345 women with ESI were included in this study. The prevalence of any type of menstrual abnormalities was 88%. Other side effects included skin and mood changes, arm pain, and numbness. The discontinuation rate was 11% in the first year and 22% before the completion of 36 months. CONCLUSION: Although menstrual abnormalities are a common side effect of ESI, only 22% of users discontinued this method of contraception.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery Injury in Post-lumbar Microdiscectomy: A Case Report.

Iatrogenic vascular injury during lumbar microdiscectomy is a rather rare complication, but it can have fatal consequences. Here, we report a patient who underwent an L5-S1 microdiscectomy, which was complicated by inferior mesenteric artery injury. The patient presented in the recovery room with symptoms of hypotension and tachycardia after the operation which was successfully managed by endovascular embolization. The patient was positioned in a prone position, which may have contributed to the development of vascular injury. To prevent potential complications, we advised using the Jackson table rather than a standard surgical table and thoroughly inspecting the abdomen and pelvis prior to the operation.