[A man stuck to a drain]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Complications
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is a common procedure for prostate cancer.
• Surgical drains are frequently used in abdominal surgery to manage fluid collection.
• Accidental adherence of surgical drains to intra-abdominal structures can occur.

Observation:

• During RALP for prostate cancer, an open silicone drain was placed in the abdominal cavity.
• The drain became adhered to a blood clot and an intra-abdominal tissue structure.
• The protruding structure was identified as the appendix vermiformis.

Findings:

• The adhered drain was successfully removed without causing damage.
• The appendix was safely repositioned back into the abdominal cavity.
• The patient experienced no negative consequences from this intraoperative complication.

Implications:

• This case highlights a rare but manageable complication of RALP involving drain placement and the appendix.
• Careful drain removal techniques are essential to prevent iatrogenic injury.
• Surgeons should be aware of potential anatomical variations and adhesions during laparoscopic procedures.