Retained abdominal retractor blade - an unusual cause of chronic pelvic pain: A case report

Authors

  • Dr. Joy K. Ngoloma Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Dr, Philomena A. Owende Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Dr. Benjamin O. Elly Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59692/jogeca.v34i2.79

Keywords:

chronic pelvic pain, hysterectomy, laparoscopy, retained foreign objects

Abstract

Background: Retained foreign objects (RFOs) are surgical items that are unintentionally retained within the patient's body after a surgical procedure and are associated with morbidity, mortality and medicolegal ramifications.

Case presentation: A 48-year-old para 3+0 presented to the gynecology clinic with a long-standing history of nonspecific symptoms following hysterectomy performed 22 months earlier. Examination findings and imaging studies were unremarkable. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a retained retractor blade overlying the sigmoid colon. The symptoms resolved after removal, and the patient was discharged on the second postoperative day.

Conclusion: Retained foreign objects often result in nonspecific symptoms and may be missed on imaging leading to diagnostic challenges. A high suspicion index is required to diagnose RFOs.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Joy K. Ngoloma, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

    Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Dr, Philomena A. Owende, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

    Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Dr. Benjamin O. Elly, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

    Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.

Downloads

Published

2022-05-31

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 2 (2022): JOGECA Volume 34 Issue 2

Section

Case report

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2022 The Authors.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Retained abdominal retractor blade - an unusual cause of chronic pelvic pain: A case report. (2022). Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Eastern and Central Africa, 34(2), 62-64. https://doi.org/10.59692/jogeca.v34i2.79

Similar Articles

31-40 of 55

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)