REPORT OF SIX CASES WITH SURGICAL FOREIGN BODIES

Retained foreign bodies, especially surgical sponges in body cavities are uncommon but are continuing problems and can cause serious complications for the patients. About 50% of these foreign bodies are symptomatic. In the early postoperative period they may cause fever, abscess formation, enteric fistula, bowel obstruction and delayed wound healing. Chronic symptoms include abdominal mass or chronic and ambiguous abdominal pain that can remaine for decades after operation. Strong suspicion, sonography and radiology especially CT Scan are of paramount importace for making a diagnosis. Surgical or laparoscopic removal is the only effective treatment for this problem and its complications. In this study, six patients that operated in Ahwaz Imam Khomeini Hospital, between 1994-2000, is reported.