Preventable Errors in the Operating Room: Retained Foreign Bodies after Surgery—Part I

Retained Surgical Gauze Swab Migration in a Paraplegic Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…With radiopaque markers, a curvilinear structure within a possibly undistinguishable mass can be detected [18]. MRI may be helpful in problematic cases, although illustration of specific gauze tissue within a collection of putrid fluid might be impossible, nor is it capable of visualizing radiopaque markers [1,2,15].…”

“…The use of radiopaque labelled surgical gauze swabs for surgical interventions has been widely adopted [1,13,15,17]. In our institution, they are used as a standard in abdominal as well as in orthopaedic surgery.…”

“…Since those case-related risk factors are specific to the needs of each patient at the time of surgery, standardization and procedure regulation is more difficult to establish in order to reduce the incidence of RSG. Comparing to this, risk factors concerning operating room environment such as poor communication, incomplete count or absence of a standardized count policy, the use of non-radiopaque sponges or change in operating room teams are more adjustable [2,15]. Emphasis should be made to eliminate those risk factors whenever possible.…”

An Asymptomatic Gossypiboma: A Case Report

“…MRI features can be confusing because the radiopaque marker is not magnetic or paramagnetic so is not visible. [9] Detection of retained foreign body on intraoperative or post operative radiographs can be tricky since the interpretation is varied, and often the radio-opaque marker is twisted or misinterpreted as calcifications, clips or intestinal contrast material. [9] The usual treatment is removal, either by open or laparoscopic means.…”

“…[9] Detection of retained foreign body on intraoperative or post operative radiographs can be tricky since the interpretation is varied, and often the radio-opaque marker is twisted or misinterpreted as calcifications, clips or intestinal contrast material. [9] The usual treatment is removal, either by open or laparoscopic means. [10] In case of small needles or surgical item, the removal may sometimes cause more complications than retention.…”