What is the Origin of Hormone Pellet Removal?

The procedure is a necessary clinical adjunct to the long-standing practice of hormone pellet therapy, which has been used since the 1930s to deliver a steady, continuous stream of hormones. The need for removal arises from the unique pharmacokinetic nature of pellet implants, where the release rate is largely fixed and cannot be immediately adjusted by the patient once implanted. Therefore, a safe and precise removal method is required to rapidly correct a hormonal over-response.

What is the Mechanism of Hormone Pellet Removal?

The mechanism involves a minor surgical incision, often at the original insertion site, followed by the use of specialized instruments like a hemostat or a blunt trocar to locate and gently retrieve the pellet from the subcutaneous fat tissue. Once the pellet is extracted, the steady, high-dose hormone delivery ceases, allowing the patient's hormone levels to decline and symptoms of over-dosing to resolve. The incision is then closed with a Steri-Strip or a single suture.

Hormone Pellet Removal ∞ Area

Hormone Pellet Removal

Meaning

Hormone Pellet Removal is the clinical procedure performed to surgically extract a subcutaneous hormone pellet that has been previously implanted under the skin, typically in the hip or buttock area. While most pellets are designed to be fully absorbed over a period of three to six months, removal may be necessary in the event of adverse effects, such as excessive hormone dosing, or complications like infection or spontaneous pellet extrusion. This is a minor, in-office surgical procedure.