Subhepatic mass occurrence after using oxidized and regenerated cellulose polymer in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case series.

Background: Oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) is a bioabsorbable surgical hemostatic. We present the first prospective case series of circumscribed mass occurrence after using ORC in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Tabotamp (Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ) in the form of tightly woven knitted patches was used to achieve hemostasis in 83 patients submitted to LC.

Results: A subhepatic mass was detected in five patients and radiologic characteristics were described. Abdominal contrast enhanced CT showed a heterogeneous soft-tissue mass. NMR was performed in one patient and showed a T2-weighted hyperintense mass.

Conclusions: ORC retention after surgery is not uncommon at long-term follow-up. The radiologic characteristics of a suspected ORC retention mass can differentiate it from a neoplastic lesion, so that surgery can be avoided.