Delayed presentation of a semicentennial gossypiboma in the soft palate and posterior nasopharyngeal wall

Abstract

Common nasopharyngeal and upper gastrointestinal foreign bodies include fish bones, chicken bones, food bolus, coin and dental prosthesis. 1,2 An uncommon cause of foreign body is gossypiboma. Gossypiboma is defined as retained foreign object of textile material, including surgical gauze, following a surgical operation. 3 A 76-year-old man presented to our hospital with breathing difficulty, halitosis and bloody purulent post-nasal secretions in the context of multiple cleft palate operations and a pharyngoplasty with his last operation performed 52 years ago. Upon physical examination, his palate appeared scarred and distorted. There were pinhole apertures in the velopharynx on either side of the dense adhesions,