Surgical instrument left inside abdomen

Abstract

Leaving surgical instruments in the patient’s body is one of the most difficult situations in the professional career of an operator and it can also have severe consequences for the patient. Contrary to world literature, there are no reports of such incidents in Polish publications. Lack of such reports creates an illusion that leaving surgical instruments in the patient’s body does not happen in Poland, which is an unsubstantiated thesis. This paper presents two cases of leaving hemostats in the abdominal cavity. According to the authors, similar publications may facilitate critical assessment of the existing rules for inspecting instruments and surgical material by surgical teams. Importantly, confirming the compliance of instruments and material by surgical nurses is not the only criterion of assessment in this matter for the operator.