Laparoscopic removal of a retained surgical instrument.

We report the case of a patient who underwent laparoscopic removal of a retained surgical spatula two months after a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometrial carcinoma. The foreign body was detected on a routine radiograph while the patient was been prepared for radiotherapy. Laparoscopy allowed us to explore the entire abdominal cavity for any potential complications of the retained instrument, and the procedure was completed successfully. This case demonstrates the feasibility of using a minimally invasive technique in the removal of a retained foreign body.

[1]  D. Devriendt,et al.  Laparoscopic Removal of a Chronically Retained Gauze , 2003, Acta Chirurgica Belgica.

[2]  M. Ankem,et al.  Endoscopic retrieval of retained Jackson-Pratt drain. , 2001, Urology.

[3]  E. F. Murta,et al.  Complete migration of retained surgical sponge into ileum without sign of open intestinal wall , 2001, Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

[4]  J. Childers,et al.  Laparoscopic retrieval of a retained surgical sponge: a case report. , 1993, Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques.

[5]  G. Marín,et al.  Retained surgical gauzes: acute and chronic CT and US findings. , 1989, European Journal of Radiology.

[6]  K. Ohtomo,et al.  Retained surgical sponges: CT and US appearance. , 1987, Radiology.

[7]  B. Hyun,et al.  A RETAINED SURGICAL SPONGE WITH INTERESTING SEQUELAE. , 1963, The American journal of medicine.