Gossypiboma: A Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gossypiboma (retained surgical sponge) is a rare medical event. It could cause a serious complication that can threaten patients’ life. Its diagnosis is usually difficult because the clinical symptoms are nonspecific and the imaging findings are often inconclusive.
CASE PRESENTATIONS: We present two cases, a 32 years old woman who passed a retained surgical sponge via rectum 5 months after cesarean section and a 30 years old lady presented with an acute abdomen that later found to have localized right lower quadrant abscess with a retained surgical sponge.
CONCLUSION: The most important approach to reduce the incidence of gossypiboma is prevention. At the end of the surgery, a correct count is always the gold standard safeguard against it. Although errors are not to be completely avoided, continuous CPD and strict adherence to rules of the operating room will reduce its incidence to a minimum.