Endoscopic preoperative colonic tattooing: a clinical and surgical complication

Endoscopic colonic tattooing is the simplest and most economic technique for identifying small lesions or polypectomy sites during open and laparoscopic surgery. Moreover, it is useful for the endoscopic follow-up of polypectomy sites. India ink is the agent of choice because of its long-lasting stain and the low risk of adverse reaction and toxicity. Very few cases of complications have been reported. We report here the case of a patient in whom colonic tattooing in preparation for surgical resection was followed by clinical complications such as fever and abdominal pain. An abscess-type inflamed pseudotumor was found at laparotomy. Histological examination revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation.