Hegar uterine dilator as an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction: a case report

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.