title: Minimally invasive retrieval of a retained Jackson--Pratt drainage tube using the Sachse urethrotome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A retained postoperative drain tube, trapped by one or more of the sutures of the abdominal wall closure, is a rare complication of frustrating  consequences and potential legal repercussions. There are few reports of techniques for minimally invasive removal of an anchored postoperative drain tube,  which not infrequently has been treated by reopening the wound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 75 years-old man with a left T2-T3N0M0 renal carcinoma was treated with transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy and a Jackson-Pratt  drain  was left  in place. Drain removal the day after revealed impossible, as if being caught with fascial suture. With the patient under sedation, we introduced a Sachse  urethrotome parallel to the drain, and the abdominal fascia was identified, then the polyglycolic stitch anchoring it to the wall could be severed, freeing the drain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous extraction with the Sachse urethrotome of an anchored postoperative drain, should be the first option, before trying a forced  traction or using more complex options. This technique is for the first time published in the Spanish bibliography, and we think this possibility should be  disclosed to abdominal surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Hospital Povisa, Spain. luisfarina@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Luis Angel
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Fariña-Perez
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pesqueira-Santiago
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000601:surgery; D057785:Catheters; D020878:Device Removal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*