How are the rods inserted?
The rods are inserted under the skin of the inner side of the upper arm in a minor surgical procedure. In some countries, a pre-loaded disposable inserter (developed by Leiras) is available. Elsewhere, the rods are loaded in a reusable hollow needle called a trocar. In either technique, a local anesthetic is injected and the clinician makes a small incision-about 3 mm long-using either the disposable inserter or the trocar. The rods are placed subdermally in the shape of a V opening toward the shoulder. The procedure should take only a few minutes. Often the only pain is associated with the injection of the anesthetic. Usually the incision does not require stitches and is covered with a small adhesive bandage and protective gauze bandage.
