Retained staples as a cause of mechanical small-bowel obstruction

The use of mechanical stapling devices in endoscopic surgery has become widespread and commonplace. Although problems have been identified with these, to our knowledge no description has been made of retained, free intraperitoneal staples causing significant morbidity. We describe the case of a patient who underwent laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Four weeks postoperatively she developed a mechanical small-bowel obstruction which was caused by a free intraperitoneal staple creating an obstructing band. The obstruction was relieved laparoscopically. We believe that while retained free intraperitoneal staples are generally of no clinical consequence, surgeons should be aware that the potential exists for significant morbidity.