Gossypiboma, a rare cause of failure in surgical intervention: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Gossypiboma (GB) is a rare but avoidable cause of failure in surgical intervention due to retention of a surgical swab in the body after an operation. It leads to potentially fatal complications with far reaching medico-legal implications. We report a case of a 28-year-old female who presented with a month history of severe abdominal pain following a myomectomy surgery. Abdominopelvic ultrasound and Computed Tomography (CT) reported an ill-defined mass in the abdomen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed extensive peritoneal adhesions, and a hard mass walled off by the greater omentum and adherent to the jejunum. Histopathological evaluation of the excised mass showed gauze-like material surrounded by intense granulomatous inflammation, adherent to intestinal segments. She was subsequently treated with ceftriaxone, metronidazole and pentazocine, and discharged home after an uneventful postoperative period.