Silicone drains are often placed in the abdominal cavity for prophylactic reasons. One complication resulting from drainage includes visceral herniation at the drain site of the abdominal wall defect. An 82-year-old woman underwent a laparotomy for a large pelvic mass. After the operation, she developed small bowel incarceration, which was caused by aggressive drain extraction. Subsequent surgical treatment resulted in the patient's full recovery. This case emphasises the unusual causative mechanism of intestinal obstruction. Drains should be placed carefully in the abdominal cavity in strictly selected cases, only when it is reasonable to do so.