The use of mechanical stapling devices in endoscopic surgery has becom
e widespread and commonplace. Although problems have been identified w
ith these, to our knowledge no description has been made of retained,
free intraperitoneal staples causing significant morbidity. We describ
e the case of a patient who underwent laparoscopically assisted vagina
l hysterectomy. Four weeks postoperatively she developed a mechanical
small-bowel obstruction which was caused by a free intraperitoneal sta
ple creating an obstructing band, The obstruction was relieved laparos
copically. We believe that while retained free intraperitoneal staples
are generally of no clinical consequence, surgeons should be aware th
at the potential exists for significant morbidity.