Textiloma, migration of retained long gauze from abdominal cavity to intestine

Abstract

Retaining of gauzes and surgical sponges in the abdomen is one of the most frequent medical errors usually manifesting as abscess or abdomino- cutaneus fistulas with no definite symptoms during lifetime. Here, we introduce a 35 year old woman with symptoms and signs of partial bowel obstruction and enterocutaneous fistulas caused by migration of retained gauze from abdominal cavity to terminal ileum, 9 months after cesarean section. This is called "Textiloma". There are several reports of gossypiboma worldwide but migration of retained gauze into intestine causing an enterocutaneous fistula is rare.

Keywords

• Surgical Error
• Retained Surgical Towel
• Gossypiboma
• Foreign Body