Figure 1. A radiograph taken 4 days post operatively showing retained contaminated laparotomy pad with radio-opaque marker. Note the development of septic peritonitis; abdominal effusion and distended loops of small intestines due to ileus.

Reducing the risk of gossypiboma and other retained items during surgery

A gossypiboma is the direct result of iatrogenic harm, as the act of leaving a swab in situ arises from a failure to account for all the swabs at the end of a surgical or other invasive procedure...