Laparoscopic removal of a retained intra-abdominal ribbon malleable retractor after 14 years.

We report a case of the laparoscopic removal of a 33 x 5 cm ribbon malleable retractor retained intra-abdominally for 14 years. Plain films revealed a radiopaque object in the midline abdomen consistent with a metallic device. This was a ribbon malleable retractor which was subsequently removed laparoscopically without complication. Laparoscopic surgery should be considered in the removal of foreign bodies from the abdominal cavity.