Inclusion of a Clip Inside the Cartridge and Failure of the Stapler When Performing a Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

The growth of the surgical industry and the development of surgical techniques have allowed us to achieve better results for patients. Laparoscopic staplers are a crucial tool in laparoscopic surgery, and despite their proven safety and efficiency, they have been associated with technical and mechanical failures on rare occasions. Adequate knowledge of the surgical instruments is critical to accomplishing optimal results and to adequately treating these rare malfunctions and their consequences. We present a case of a surgical stapler malfunction due to a titanium clip during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. This mechanical failure produced a complication that was adequately resolved, and the patient completely recovered. Our brief communication shows that errors during sleeve gastrectomy can occur, and that precise surgical skills along with a close follow-up are crucial to improve the patient outcome when these rare complications arise.