RESUMO
Gossypiboma is a retained surgical sponge and represents a rare complication with an uncertain incidence probably due to medical-legal implications. It is an iatrogenic condition solely due to human factors. While the medical literature has previously described cases of this entity after orthopedic, abdominal, otorhinolaryngology, and plastic surgery procedures, gossypibomas in oral and maxillofacial region are uncommon. It can mimic neoplasms or other injuries, which may promote a delayed diagnosis; thus, the differential diagnosis should be based on clinical history in each particular case. Although there are no pathognomonic features of gossypiboma in oral and maxillofacial region, the most common symptoms suggestive of persistent inflammation include pain, fever, swelling, surgical wounds that do not heal, and purulent drainage. The aim of this study was to report a maxillofacial gossypiboma misdiagnosed as third molar surgery-related odontogenic infection and a diagnosis algorithm.
RESUMO
La compresa quirúrgica retenida o textiloma es el resultado de un error quirúrgico poco frecuente y evitable. Se ha reportado que la incidencia es 1 por cada 1 000 a 15 000 cirugías intraabdominales. La compresa quirúrgica retenida puede causar graves complicaciones que llevan hasta la muerte. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 26 años quien llegó por dolor abdominal. Tenía un antecedente quirúrgico de cesárea 20 meses antes. Durante la laparotomía, se encontró una compresa quirúrgica retenida a 25 centímetros de la válvula ileocecal, que fue resecada en bloque. Aunque rara en la práctica diaria, se debe considerar la retención de compresas intraperitoneales en pacientes que se presentan con síntomas abdominales complejos posteriores a una cirugía abdominal previa.
Retained surgical swab or textiloma is an infrequent but avoidable result of surgical error. The reported incidence is 1 in 1 000 to 15 000 intraabdominal surgeries. A retained surgical swab may cause serious complications and may lead to death. We present the case of a 26 year-old woman who was seen for abdominal pain. Her surgical history included a cesarean section 20 months ago. During laparotomy, a retained surgical sponge located 25 centimeters from the ileocecal valve was found and resected en bloc. Although rare in daily practice, a retained intraperitoneal swab body should be considered in patients with complex abdominal symptoms following a history of abdominal surgery.