Transmigration of Surgical Gauze: A Rare Case of Intraluminal Gossypiboma

Abstract

Gossypiboma, a rare but significant complication of retained surgical gauze, can lead to considerable morbidity and presents diagnostic challenges. We describe the case of a 40-year-old female who presented with a three-day history of generalized abdominal pain, accompanied by bilious vomiting and bowel obstruction. Her medical history included an open cholecystectomy seven months earlier. An abdominal X-ray suggested a linear radio-opaque foreign body, which was confirmed as gossypiboma by contrast-enhanced CT. During an exploratory laparotomy, a 30 x 30 cm surgical gauze was found within the ileum and successfully removed. This case highlights the ongoing risk of retained surgical items, even with modern advancements in surgical practice and technology. It underscores the importance of meticulous surgical technique, including accurate surgical counts, adherence to standardized protocols. This case serves as a critical reminder for all surgical teams to maintain heightened vigilance throughout all phases of surgery.