Intra-abdominal Breakage of Laparoscopic Needle Holder Tip and Its Retrieval Under Fluoroscopic Guidance

Intra-operative breakage of laparoscopy instruments is a rare occurrence. It entails a risk of the foreign body being retained in the abdomen and may lead to medico-legal implications. The foreign body migrates due to bowel movements. Therefore, the retrieval of such foreign bodies can be challenging even for a highly skilled and experienced surgeon. Fluoroscopy can guide in locating the missing foreign body. The only preventive measure is the vigilance of the operating team and thorough inspection of all the instruments prior to completion of surgery.

We present a case report of a 50-year-old lady who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoopherectomy at a private nursing home. During the closure of the vault, the tip of the needle holder broke inside the abdomen and the primary surgeon was unable to retrieve it. The missing tip of the needle holder was removed from the right hypochondriac region, by a second laparoscopic surgery by an advanced laparoscopic surgeon under fluoroscopic guidance.

Intra-operative breakage of laparoscopy instruments can occur, demanding a great deal of expertise for the retrieval of such foreign bodies. Fluoroscopy can guide in locating the missing foreign body which can be retrieved by an expert laparoscopic surgeon.