Abdominal foreign body after subtotal pancreatectomy: a case series

The use of reinforced linear stapling devices is standard during distal pancreatectomy. We report rare cases of reinforced linear staples falsely appearing on post-operative imaging as retained foreign bodies. Two patients underwent laparoscopic subtotal pancreatectomy with use of a reinforced linear stapling device. Cross-sectional imaging obtained in the post-operative period showed fluid collections containing what was described as a free-floating foreign body. One patient underwent reoperation due to the imaging findings. The reported foreign bodies in both patients were in fact the reinforced staple lines used to transect the pancreas. Understanding this phenomenon led to changes in management in both patients with less invasive treatment than would otherwise have been performed. Reinforced staple lines used during distal pancreatectomy can have a misleading appearance on post-operative imaging. An understanding of this possibility is important to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.