Gossypiboma (textiloma) after caesarian operation

Gossypiboma or textiloma is used to describe a retained surgical swab in the body after an operation that often requires another surgery. This increases morbidity and mortality of the patient, cost of treatment, and medicolegal problems. We are reporting case of a 30-year-old woman who was referred from periphery with acute pain in abdomen. The patient had a surgical history of caesarian section 12 months before, performed at another hospital. On clinical examination and investigation, retained surgical product was suspected on plain x-ray and ultrasound that was confirmed by abdominal computerized tomography (CT). During laparotomy, the cyst wall was opened incidentally which lead to the drainage of a large amount of pus. The cyst was located in front of the uterus on the left side. Inside the cyst, there was found retained surgical gauze embedded in pus that confirmed the diagnosis of gossypiboma. The author reviews the literature on diagnosis and management of this preventable condition.