Simultaneous Extraction of a Retained Surgical Gauze from Bladder and Uterus 17 Years after Cesarean Section: A Rare Case Report

Gossypiboma is defined as retained foreign object (sponge, needle, and instrument) in patient’s corpus after operation that is recognized as a medical error. It may induce catastrophic implications for the patient and medical care providers. We present a case with a 17-year-old gossypiboma after cesarean section.
A 49-year-old woman was admitted to the outpatient clinic of Rasool-e-Akram hospital of Tehran, Iran, in 2016 presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), abdominal pain, and urinary symptoms for many years. She underwent hysteroscopy. Operative findings included intrauterine synechiae and a polypoid lesion. Besides, a thread-like foreign body was observed in the anterior surface of the uterine cavity, which was suspected as a cesarean section suture material that was extracted. After hysteroscopy, uterine bleeding stopped although abdominal pain and urinary symptoms maintained. Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and MRI revealed a mass between uterus and bladder. Then, laparotomy was performed. After opening the abdominal wall under general anesthesia, we explored internal organs and encountered a necrotic mass revealing an old organized gauze between bladder and uterus, which infiltrated the uterus and trigon. It was extracted and then, hysterectomy and bladder repair were carried out.
Surgical sponges are the most common foreign materials retained in abdominal cavity.