Gossypiboma: Complications of Retained Surgical Sponges
When it comes to surgical procedures, the use of stainless steel tools is generally considered safe, as they are less likely to cause infections or adverse reactions in patients. However, the presence of any foreign object in the body can still lead to serious consequences. This is particularly true for surgical sponges, which present unique challenges as retained items, giving rise to a specific term known as gossypiboma.
Metallic objects, such as surgical instruments, typically cause issues relatively quickly, and their detection through medical imaging is relatively straightforward. However, the same cannot be said for sponges, as most of them are not easily detectable using standard imaging techniques. As a result, these sponges can remain inside the body for months or even years before any side effects become apparent.
Frequency and Incidence
Estimating the frequency of surgical mistakes involving retained surgical items can be a challenging task. The US Department of Health and Human Services suggests that such errors could occur in approximately 1 out of every 100 to 1 out of every 5,000 surgeries. However, there are those who propose a slightly higher incidence, ranging from 1 in 5,500 to 1 in 18,760 cases. It is worth mentioning that experts suspect that the actual occurrence of these incidents is underreported by surgeons who fear negative consequences for their career and professional reputation. Furthermore, in some cases, governing bodies do not mandate surgeons to report cases of retained objects unless they result in significant side effects.