PICTORIAL

Management of Migrated Intravesical Staples Post Laparoscopic Colposuspension

Michael St John Floyd (Jr),1 David Hughes,2 Paul Witold Kutarski1

A 43 years old female presented with recurrent urinary tract infections. Her past history included a laparoscopic colposuspension aged 33 years in which mesh was stapled to the ileopectineal ligament. She developed recurrent incontinence 12 years later and underwent trans-vaginal tape insertion. Cystoscopy revealed two encrusted staples in her bladder which had migrated following her colposuspension. They 
were located adjacent to the left ureteric orifice and on the right had side of the bladder wall (Figures 1 and 2). Plain X-ray revealed tacks along 

the pelvic brim (Figure 3).  She was initially managed conservatively with antimicrobial prophylaxis but continued to complain of left sided pelvic 

pain and infections. Using a suprapubic approach a laparoscopic port was inserted into the bladder and the encrusted staples were grasped with rigid 

forceps via the port. The adjacent urothelium was incised cystoscopically using a holmium laser, the staples removed and a catheter placed for seven 

days.  At 6 months postoperatively the patient was infection free.

Management of iatrogenic foreign bodies following incontinence procedures has been documented with pain and infections being frequent presenting 

symptoms.(1) Transurethral endoscopic excision is used to treat mesh erosions, but a modified technique can remove bladder staples effectively.(2,3)

Departments of Urology1 and 
Radiology 2,Wirral Universi -
ty  Hospital Trust, Arrowe Park, 
Upton, Merseyside, CH49 5PE, 
United Kingdom.

 
 

Corresponding Author:
Department of Urology, Wirral 
University Hospital Trust, Ar-
rowe Park, Upton, Merseyside, 
CH49 5PE, United Kingdom.
E-mail: nilbury@gmail.com

Received February 2014
Accepted June 2014

Figure 1. Staples are located adjacent to the left ureteric orifice.

Figure 2. On the right staples had side of the bladder wall. Figure 3. Plain X-ray demonstrates tacks along the pelvic brim. 

REFERENCES
1.  Frenkl TL, Rackley RR, Vasavada SP, Goldman HB. Management of iatrogenic foreign bodies of the bladder and 
  urethra following pelvic floor surgery. Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27:491-5

2.  Doumouchtsis SK, Lee FY, Bramwell D, Fynes MM. Evaluation of holmium laser for managing mesh/suture com
  plications of continence surgery. BJU Int. 2011;108:1472-8.

3.  Davis NF, Smyth LG, Giri SK, Flood HD. Evaluation of endoscopic laser excision of polypropylene mesh/sutures 
  following anti-incontinence procedure. J Urol. 2012;188:1828-32.

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