Intraluminal migration of surgical sponge: Gossypiboma

Abstract

Surgical mop retained in the abdominal cavity following surgery is a serious but avoidable complication. The condition may manifest either as an exudative inflammatory reaction with formation of abscess, or aseptically with a fibrotic reaction developing into a mass. Intraluminal migration is relatively rare. We report the case of a 23 year old woman who presented after a previous caesarean section with intestinal obstruction. Plain abdominal radiograph and computed tomography confirmed the presence of gossypiboma. The patient underwent laparatomy and sponge removal. This report discusses the approach to, and manifestations of, migratory surgical gossypiboma.

Keywords

• Gossypiboma
• intraluminal migration
• intestinal obstruction