Impact of microscopic foreign debris on post-surgical complications

Minute pieces of debris left in the surgical site can interfere with optimal wound healing. Even when these microbodies are not obvious without magnification, their presence can cause post-surgical complications including infections, amplified and prolonged inflammation, permanent tissue damage, exaggerated and reduced quality scarring, granulomas, adhesions, organ dysfunction, infertility, and other pathological consequences. This chapter reviews foreign debris-initiated, post-surgical complications; presents associated pathological mechanisms; identifies sources of debris contamination; describes foreign-microbody characteristics that can further amplify pathological responses; and presents recommendations for minimizing their presence.