Table 5.

Pros/Cons for Extended Use of Histrelin Implant

	Annual implant replacement	Extended implant use (>12 months)
Effective suppression	Very good	May wane after 18–24 months
Ease of extraction	Typically, easy to remove	May be more difficult the longer HI is kept
Cost overall	Higher	Lower
Implant	Higher	Lower
Procedure/s	Higher	Lower
Laboratory monitoring	Lower	Higher the longer HI is kept
Out of pocket	Higher	Lower
Frequency of laboratory testing	Lower, predictable	Higher, variable
Risk for worsening GD	Lower	Possibly higher, due to concern about suppression escape or more frequent physical examinations
Time requirement (authorization, surgical time, outpatient vs. operating room)	Higher	Lower
Frequency of general anesthesia	Higher	Lower