Retained surgical sponge: An enigma

Abstract

Retained surgical sponge in the body following a surgery is called "gossypiboma". A 27-year-old female who had undergone lower segment cesarean section 4 months earlier was admitted with complaints of pain abdomen with a palpable mass in left iliac fossa. X-ray, ultrasonography, and CT scan findings were suggestive of retained surgical sponge. Surgical sponge was removed following laparotomy. Surgeons must be aware of the risk factors that lead to gossypiboma, and measures should be taken to prevent it. Besides increasing morbidity and possible mortality, it may result in libel suit for compensation.

Keywords

• Acute abdomen
• gossypiboma
• retained sponge