title: Laparoscopic removal of a retained intra-abdominal ribbon malleable retractor after 14 years.
abstract: We report a case of the laparoscopic removal of a 33 x 5 cm ribbon malleable retractor retained intra-abdominally for 14 years. Plain films revealed a radiopaque object in the midline abdomen consistent with a metallic device. This was a ribbon malleable retractor which was subsequently removed laparoscopically without complication. Laparoscopic surgery should be considered in the removal of foreign bodies from the abdominal cavity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Harper University Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. jwebber@dmc.org
authors.forename: Daniald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Nolan E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hammer
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Webber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009852:Omentum / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects*