Insertion time
In a clinical trial, mean insertion time was <1 minute (27.9 ± 29.3 seconds). Insertion time was measured from the removal of the protective cap of the applicator until the retraction of the needle from the arm.
Applicator for NEXPLANON
The applicator for NEXPLANON differs from the applicator for IMPLANON® (etonogestrel implant), which requires a different insertion procedure.
Palpate after insertion and before removal
Palpation is an important technique for locating NEXPLANON after insertion and before removal.
Palpate immediately after insertion
- NEXPLANON should be inserted subdermally in the inner side of the upper nondominant arm.
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Always verify the presence of the implant in the patient’s arm immediately after insertion by palpation.
- The patient should also be able to palpate the implant.
- If the implant is not palpable or there is doubt about its presence, check the applicator and use 1 of the 4 available methods (listed below) to confirm its presence.
- Until the presence of the implant has been verified, the patient should be advised to use a nonhormonal contraceptive method, such as condoms.
Palpate before removal
- The exact location of the implant in the arm should be verified by palpation before removal procedure.
- A nonpalpable implant should always be first located prior to removal using 1 of the 4 available localization methods.
- Exploratory surgery without knowledge of the exact location of the implant is strongly discouraged.
Methods for confirming presence if implant is not palpable
The NEXPLANON implant is radiopaque, providing 4 methods for confirming presence after insertion and localizing before removal in the event that the implant is not palpable.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- 2-Dimensional x-ray
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
