Guide Wire Left Behind After Abscess Drainage Procedure

Case Overview

Questions to the Radiology expert and their responses

Is this a common complication?

The wire being left in the abdomen is quite an unusual circumstance and extremely rare in my experience.

What measures are taken to prevent such complications?

The wire is usually removed at the time of the drainage procedure. However, sometimes wires do break. If that happens a discussion should occur with the surgeon to possibly remove it at surgery or sometimes it is left in place if it is inaccessible. It should have been noticed earlier (at the time of drain placement or removal or on subsequent films). Also, I would like to add that it should have been disclosed to the patient/family as soon as possible.

About the expert

This expert has over 10 years of experience as an abdominal radiology, and currently practices in a clinical setting. He is a board certified member of the American Board of Radiology with sub-specialty in Interventional Radiology. He has held various academic and administrative leadership positions and is active both as an instructor and staff radiologist a major medical center in the Boston metropolitan area. Finally, he is an editorial reviewer of major medical journals and has been awarded numerous honors for his research and publications.