Medical devices in the abdomen and pelvis

Last revised by Ashesh Ishwarlal Ranchod on 24 Mar 2024

Medical devices in the abdomen and pelvis are important to be recognized, just like medical devices of the chest. We often ignore these devices, considering them to be incidental and non-pathological, however it is essential to be aware of potential complications.

Post-operative devices

  • surgical sutures, staples, clips, and glue

  • surgical sponges

    • most commonly retained foreign surgical body is a laparotomy cotton sponge

    • it can be easily identified on radiographs by a 'ribbon-like' characteristic marker (see: gossypiboma)

  • surgical needles, ties

  • surgical drains, e.g. closed-wound suction drains, gravity drains, sump drains

  • biliary drains and stents: T-tube, biliary stent (e.g. Cook stent)

  • metallic stents: vascular stents, self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS)

  • embolization coils

  • endo clip or hemo clip

  • Ovesco device

  • IVC filters

  • vascular grafts, e.g. aortobi-iliac bypass grafts

  • haemodialysis reliable output (HeRO) catheters

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