Inflammatory gossypiboma in young female athlete

Abstract

Retained surgical gauze that was left inside the patient during a surgical procedure is called gossypiboma or textiloma. It is a rare complication of surgery commonly seen after abdominal operations. The symptoms of gossypiboma are non-specific, such as pain, palpable mass and fever, which make clinical diagnosis difficult. We present a case of young female athlete patient with right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain for 1 month, caused by surgical gauze which was retained from previous cesarean delivery performed 24 yr ago. Patient with retained surgical gauze can be asymptomatic for a long period. In our case, laparoscopy was used as the diagnostic and therapeutic tool. This report discusses the approach to, and manifestations of gossypiboma which presents a long asymptomatic period.