Silicone drain mimicking a surgical sponge

Because the appearances of a retained surgical sponge and the radiopaque portion of an in situ Snyder Hemovac flat silicone drain are similar at radiographic evaluation, confirmation should be obtained that a patient in whom a retained surgical sponge is suspected does not have this type of drain in place. The difference between the two items is especially difficult to discern in large patients or in patients with overlying dressings or a gas-distended abdomen.