Laparoscopic removal of a broken acupuncture needle in pancreatic head: a case report

Acupuncture, a well-established traditional medical practice in East Asia, is rarely associated with complications associated with broken needles. A 45-year-old woman had received acupuncture treatment 3 months before presentation to relieve back pain and complained of persistent epigastric pain. Radiological studies revealed chronic cholecystitis with stones and a broken acupuncture needle in the pancreatic head. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and foreign body removal were performed, and the patient recovered quickly during a short hospital stay. We confirm that a needle found in the pancreas can usually be safely removed with minimally invasive surgery.