Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2010 | Case report
Hegar uterine dilator as an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction: a case report
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2010
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Introduction
The unusual event of surgical instrument retention in the abdominal cavity usually occurs after laparotomy.
Case presentation
A 45-year-old African woman from Cameroon with no previous abdominal surgery presented with a three-day history of colicky abdominal pain. Abdominal X-ray showed an opaque, linear object in the lower abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a Hegar uterine dilator that was lost during a dilatation and curettage performed seven years prior to the present admission.
Conclusions
The trans-uterine route should be included as a rare and unusual source of surgical instruments retained in the abdomen.