Textiloma in abdominal cavity: 35 years later.

The description of foreign body in patients who have undergone surgical procedures is increasing. This fact has contributed to the development of strategies to promote tools to prevent these events, professional qualification and early detection. The first report of a case with the presence of a foreign body in the abdominal cavity was described in 1884. Since then several others are being described and indicate a higher frequency of textile products such as tampons and surgical gauze1,2. Recent studies have shown that the incidence of foreign body in the postoperative period is one in a thousand cases, predominantly after gynecological and obstetric operations. Prevails those performed in emergency conditions. Mortality can reach 35%3,4,5. The presence of foreign material in the body can lead to septic fibrosis, adhesions, encapsulation becoming granuloma and abscess with bacterial colonization or not. These manifestations can appear in different periods after surgery. From the first 24 hours to 8th to 13th days granulomatous inflammation emerge that aim to destroy the foreign body. After five years can be absorbed, or even be calcified6. The surgical gauze are made from cotton material that rarely produces reactions in contact with the body. However, after a period of exposure can trigger reactions that lead to formation of granulomas4. This study reports a case of intestinal blockage by gauze after surgical procedure held 35 years before. CASE REPORT