title: An intraoperative method of localizing a missing piece of a broken laparoscopic instrument.
abstract: Missing a laparoscopic needle or a dislodged broken piece of a laparoscopic instrument presents a challenge in localizing it. A fragment of a broken instrument is often confined in an area remote from the primary operative side and entrapped in the bowel loop or in the omentum. An abdominal x-ray film identifies a missing part of the instrument intraabdominally; however, it is extremely difficult to find it with a laparoscope. A precise small area and a reference point are needed to establish where the dislodged missing fragment part is. The radiopaque threads from x-ray-detectable sponges were removed and placed on the abdominal skin, creating a net. With the target square determined by radiopaque threads, finding and removing the dislodged missing piece were achieved very expeditiously. This technique to localize a missing piece of a broken laparoscopic instrument intraabdominally is simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive, allowing expeditious removal and saving substantial operative time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital, Washington DC 20060, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ostrzenski
mesh_terms: D004868:Equipment Failure; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D020706:Laparoscopes; D009339:Needles; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D015503:Surgical Sponges