TY - JOUR
T1 - Gossypiboma
T2 - A case report and review of the literature
AU - Kiernan, F.
AU - Joyce, M.
AU - Byrnes, C. K.
AU - O'Grady, H.
AU - Keane, F. B.V.
AU - Neary, P.
PY - 2008/12
Y1 - 2008/12
N2 - Introduction: Post-operative complications in surgery may frequently be unavoidable. However, some complications result from human error, both in the intra-operative and post-operative period. One such complication, which is frequently underreported, is the retained swab, or gossypiboma. Case report We report a case from our hospital of a patient who presented with unexplained pyrexia, 4 years post-gynaecological surgery in another institution. A 67- year-old woman from overseas presented to our emergency department with a 2-day-history of pyrexia, collapse and confusion. Following a CT guided biopsy, which was inconclusive, she was scheduled for retroperitoneal biopsy. In theatre, a retained swab was discovered. Conclusion: Prevention of gossypiboma is far better than cure. Strict adherence to swab counts, and the avoidance of change of staff during procedures is important in decreasing the incidence. Perhaps, with the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures, the incidence of gossypiboma will fall dramatically.
AB - Introduction: Post-operative complications in surgery may frequently be unavoidable. However, some complications result from human error, both in the intra-operative and post-operative period. One such complication, which is frequently underreported, is the retained swab, or gossypiboma. Case report We report a case from our hospital of a patient who presented with unexplained pyrexia, 4 years post-gynaecological surgery in another institution. A 67- year-old woman from overseas presented to our emergency department with a 2-day-history of pyrexia, collapse and confusion. Following a CT guided biopsy, which was inconclusive, she was scheduled for retroperitoneal biopsy. In theatre, a retained swab was discovered. Conclusion: Prevention of gossypiboma is far better than cure. Strict adherence to swab counts, and the avoidance of change of staff during procedures is important in decreasing the incidence. Perhaps, with the increasing use of minimally invasive procedures, the incidence of gossypiboma will fall dramatically.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61749085117&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11845-008-0197-0
DO - 10.1007/s11845-008-0197-0
M3 - Review article
C2 - 18820991
AN - SCOPUS:61749085117
SN - 0021-1265
VL - 177
SP - 389
EP - 391
JO - Irish Journal of Medical Science
JF - Irish Journal of Medical Science
IS - 4
ER -