Intra-abdominal gossypiboma: Still a severe postoperative complication

Abstract

Gossypiboma is an uncommon surgical iatrogenic complication due to the retention of textile material inside natural cavities, especially in abdomen. Most patients are symptomatic, and clinical history and physical examination combined with computed tomography are essential to establish the diagnosis. In response to the presence of a foreign body, the host can develop two different types of inflammatory response: aseptic and septic reaction, determining the most common signs and symptoms. Prevention is the key point to control the complication and is based on a systematic and systematized conference of such materials at the end of an operation. The purpose of this case report is to show the typical case of aseptic reaction, it most frequent clinical course and alert the surgeons about the severity including legacy aspects.

A 34‐year‐old asymptomatic gossypiboma: A fortuitous diagnosis revealed by appendicular peritonitis: A case report

“…Gossypiboma is an important topic, seldom reported because of the medicolegal issues and a significant embarrassment; it is considered by some authors as a severe postoperative iatrogenic complication. 7 …”

“…Gossypiboma is an important topic, seldom reported because of the medicolegal issues and a significant embarrassment; it is considered by some authors as a severe postoperative iatrogenic complication. 7 This variety of reports makes the actual diagnosis and incidence hard to define. The estimation of retained sponges was reported in 1/100-1/3000 of all surgical interventions [9][10][11] and about 1/1000-1/1500 of intra-abdominal operations.…”

“…The time passed from the previous operation to the presentation with gossypiboma between 1 day and 40 years. 4 , 5 , 6 Most patients are symptomatic 7 leading to the removal of the retained foreign body after a few days of surgery, but some have been diagnosed many years later. 8 …”

“…The time passed from the previous operation to the presentation with gossypiboma between 1 day and 40 years. [4][5][6] Most patients are symptomatic 7 leading to the removal of the retained foreign body after a few days of surgery, but some have been diagnosed many years later. 8 We are reporting a 34-year-old asymptomatic gossypiboma discovered in an emergency situation of a right iliac fossa pain.…”