Episiotomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure during vaginal delivery and is generally considered safe. However, rare complications may occur during episiotomy repair, including fracture of the suture needle. Localization and retrieval of a broken needle fragment can be challenging, particularly in the presence of active bleeding or limited visualization of the surgical field. We report a case of a fractured suture needle during episiotomy repair in a postpartum patient. Because the needle fragment could not be immediately located during the procedure, portable radiography was used to identify the exact location of the retained fragment. Following radiographic localization, targeted minimal dissection was performed, and the needle fragment was successfully removed within a short period of time. The patient remained hemodynamically stable throughout the procedure. No significant bleeding or postoperative complications were observed. Follow-up examination showed normal healing of the episiotomy site. This case highlights the usefulness of portable radiography as a practical and accessible method for the localization and safe removal of retained surgical needle fragments during episiotomy repair. Prompt identification and minimally invasive retrieval can prevent prolonged surgical exploration and potential complications.
Korhan et al. (Mon,) studied this question.