Abstract

Gossypiboma is a retained surgical sponge in the body cavity after an operation. This is a rare but serious, avoidable surgical complication with grave consequences including death. We report a case of Gossypiboma, which was diagnosed early and managed successfully. Our patient presented with persistent lower abdominal pain after an emergency laparotomy, which did not respond to analgesics and her condition deteriorated with time. Gossypiboma was diagnosed by CT scan. At laparotomy, a soaked foul smelling surgical sponge was found in the right iliac fossa.

Key words: Gossypiboma, retained foreign body, persistent post-operative abdominal pain