Retained foreign body after laser ablation

Laser ablation for varicose veins is a common practice, and postoperative complications may happen. A retained foreign body could be left accidently in the treated leg. It is rarely reported in literature. We herein describe two cases of retained foreign body during the laser ablation for varicose veins. One patient with varicose veins received laser therapy 5 years earlier, and had experienced discomfort and pain. After investigation, an overlooked sheath fragment was removed surgically from the leg. Another patient with varicose veins had discomfort after laser ablation for 8 days, and has been asymptomatic after the removal of the retained foreign body in the leg. The essential preventive approach include to pinpoint the site of the tip of fiberoptic laser fiber and pull 1 to 2 cm of the sheath out of the patient, then withdrawal the fiberoptic fiber and sheath simultaneously. A white flash light in the trunk of the fiberoptic laser fiber is an important warning signal of an erroneous manipulation during the operation. The surgeon should routinely check the intact sheath and fiberoptic fiber after laser ablation. In conclusion, retained foreign body can be prevented by following some practical tips during laser ablation.