Textiloma, migration of retained long gauze from abdominal cavity to intestine

Abstract

• Retaining of gauzes and surgical sponges in the abdomen is one of the most frequent medical errors usually manifesting as abscess or abdomino-cutaneus fistulas with no definite symptoms during lifetime. Here, we introduce a 35 year old woman with symptoms and signs of partial bowel obstruction and enterocutaneous fistulas caused by migration of retained gauze from abdominal cavity to terminal ileum, 9 months after cesarean section. This is called “Textiloma”. There are several reports of gossypiboma worldwide but migration of retained gauze into intestine causing an enterocutaneous fistula is rare.
• KEYWORDS: Surgical Error, Retained Surgical Towel, Gossypiboma, Foreign Body.