Trans-visceral migration of retained surgical gauze as a cause of intestinal obstruction: a case report
2008

Retained Surgical Gauze Causing Intestinal Obstruction: A Case Report

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Grassi Nello, Cipolla Calogero, Torcivia Adriana, Bottino Alessandro, Fiorentino Eugenio, Ficano Leonardo, Pantuso Gianni

Primary Institution: Department of Oncology – Division of General and Oncological Surgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

Conclusion

Retained surgical gauze in the abdomen is a rare but significant complication of surgery that may be more common than reported.

Supporting Evidence

  • Retained surgical gauze is an uncommon but serious complication.
  • Imaging techniques can help diagnose retained gauze before surgery.
  • Symptoms can occur years after the initial surgery.

Takeaway

Sometimes, doctors accidentally leave pieces of cloth inside patients after surgery, which can cause problems later on. This report talks about one such case.

Methodology

The case involved a 75-year-old man who underwent surgery and was later diagnosed with intestinal obstruction due to retained surgical gauze, confirmed through imaging and surgical intervention.

Potential Biases

The report may be influenced by the authors' experiences and the rarity of such cases in the literature.

Limitations

The study is based on a single case report, which may not represent the broader incidence of retained surgical gauze.

Participant Demographics

One 75-year-old male patient.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1752-1947-2-17

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