Tackers (mesh fixation devices) are often used for securing the
mesh in the laparoscopic repair of ventral, inguinal and hiatus
hernia. By and large, their use is safe but occasionally the
tackers are the cause of postoperative complications. Small gut
perforations have been reported previously. We report here a
case of large gut fistula secondary to an injury by a protruding
tacker in the abdominal cavity presenting twenty days after the
laparoscopic repair of a ventral hernia.