Retained Malecot’s Drain Tip after Percutaneous Drainage of Post-transplant Lymphocele: A Case Report

Abstract

Percutaneous drains are commonly used to drain collections in surgical patients. The choice of drain can determine the potential complications. Herein, the authors presented a case of a 32- year-old female with a drain complication and its management in a posttransplant patient. The patient developed a post-transplant perigraft lymphocele and underwent drainage using Malecot’s catheter. However, during the removal of drain, the Malecot catheter accidentally broke, leaving the tip inside the perigraft region. To locate the tip, a non-contrast Computed Tomography (CT) scan was performed. Subsequently, the patient underwent a transperitoneal reexploration, successfully removing the tip. It was discovered that the catheter tip had ingrown tissue between the prongs, impeding its removal. It is crucial to exercise caution in such situations as Malecot catheters may sometimes have ingrown tissue between the prongs, hindering their removal.