DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Retained surgical swab (RSS) is an infrequent and avoidable complication after any type of abdomino-pelvicsurgeries which leads to increased morbidity of patient as well as the cost of treatment. We report one such case of a 32 yearsold female patient who presented with signs and symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction, 1 year after a cesarean section. Onexploration a mass was found in the region of terminal ileum which was resected followed by end to end anastomosis. Upondissection of the mass, a large surgical swab was found inside the lumen of the gut. The mass which is formed around aretained surgical swab is known as Gossypiboma. Complete intra-luminal migration is very rare and a delayed complication ofRSS and is difficult to diagnose due to vague presentation and inconclusive imaging. Surgical intervention is mainstay oftreatment although it may be removed endoscopically in accessible parts of the gut and may even pass with defecation withoutany intervention.