RETAINED STAPLES AS A CAUSE OF MECHANICAL SMALL-BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

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.