Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Indian Journal of Surgery 4/2012

01-08-2012 | Review Article

Gossypiboma and Surgeon- Current Medicolegal Aspect – A Review

Authors: Rabi Sankar Biswas, Suvro Ganguly, Makhan Lal Saha, Subhasis Saha, Subhabrata Mukherjee, Asif Ayaz

Published in: Indian Journal of Surgery | Issue 4/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Gossypiboma or textiloma is referred to as a surgical gauze or towel inadvertently retained inside the body following surgery. It is an infrequent but avoidable surgical complication, which must be kept in mind in any postoperative patient who presents with pain, infection, or palpable mass. Gossypiboma, in the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, proves that the surgeon is negligent. Moreover, it has medicolegal consequences including mental agony, humiliation, huge monetary compensation and imprisonment on the part of the surgeon and increased morbidity, mortality and financial loss on the part of the patient. Here we report two cases of gossypiboma and review its current medicolegal aspect in relation to the surgeon.
Literature
1.
go back to reference IV (2006) CPJ 105 NC Bench: S G Member, P Shenoy K Ravindra Nath (Dr) And Anr. vs Vitta Veera Surya Prakasam And Ors. on 17/8/2006 IV (2006) CPJ 105 NC Bench: S G Member, P Shenoy K Ravindra Nath (Dr) And Anr. vs Vitta Veera Surya Prakasam And Ors. on 17/8/2006
2.
go back to reference Stawicki SP, Evans DC, Cipolla J, Seamon MJ, Lukaszczyk JJ, Prosciak MP et al (2009) Retained surgical foreign bodies: a comprehensive review of risks and preventive strategies. Scard J Surg 98:8–17 Stawicki SP, Evans DC, Cipolla J, Seamon MJ, Lukaszczyk JJ, Prosciak MP et al (2009) Retained surgical foreign bodies: a comprehensive review of risks and preventive strategies. Scard J Surg 98:8–17
3.
go back to reference Dakubo J, Clegg-Lamptey JN, Hodasi WM, Obaka HE, Toboh H, Asempa W (2009) An intra-abdominal grossypiboma. Ghana Med J 43(1):43–45PubMed Dakubo J, Clegg-Lamptey JN, Hodasi WM, Obaka HE, Toboh H, Asempa W (2009) An intra-abdominal grossypiboma. Ghana Med J 43(1):43–45PubMed
4.
go back to reference Qamar SA, Jamil M, Idress T, Sobia H (2010) Retained foreign bodies after intra-abdominal surgery: a continuing problem. Prof Med J 17(2):218–222 Qamar SA, Jamil M, Idress T, Sobia H (2010) Retained foreign bodies after intra-abdominal surgery: a continuing problem. Prof Med J 17(2):218–222
5.
go back to reference Paramythiotis D, Michalopoulos A, Papadopoulos VN, Panagiotou D, Papaefthymiou L, et al (2011) Gossypiboma presenting as mesosigmoid abscess: an experimental study. Tech Coloproctol (Suppl 1):S67–S69 Paramythiotis D, Michalopoulos A, Papadopoulos VN, Panagiotou D, Papaefthymiou L, et al (2011) Gossypiboma presenting as mesosigmoid abscess: an experimental study. Tech Coloproctol (Suppl 1):S67–S69
6.
go back to reference Tarik U, Gokhan DM, Sunay YM, Mahmut A (2009) The medico-legal importance of gossypiboma. 4thMediterranean Academy of Forensic Science Meeting, 14–18 October 2008, Antalya-Turkey. Abstract CD of Poster Presentations:82–83 Tarik U, Gokhan DM, Sunay YM, Mahmut A (2009) The medico-legal importance of gossypiboma. 4thMediterranean Academy of Forensic Science Meeting, 14–18 October 2008, Antalya-Turkey. Abstract CD of Poster Presentations:82–83
7.
go back to reference Kokubo T, Itai Y, Ohtomo K, Yoshikawa K, Iio M, Atomi Y (1987) Retained surgical sponges: CT and US appearance. Radiology 165:415–418PubMed Kokubo T, Itai Y, Ohtomo K, Yoshikawa K, Iio M, Atomi Y (1987) Retained surgical sponges: CT and US appearance. Radiology 165:415–418PubMed
9.
go back to reference William RG, Bragg RG, Nelson JA (1978) Gossypiboma—the problem of the retained surgical sponge. Radiology 129:323–326 William RG, Bragg RG, Nelson JA (1978) Gossypiboma—the problem of the retained surgical sponge. Radiology 129:323–326
10.
go back to reference Kaiser CW, Friedman S, Spurling KP, Slowick T, Kaiser HA (1996) The retained surgical sponge. Ann Surg 224:79–84PubMedCrossRef Kaiser CW, Friedman S, Spurling KP, Slowick T, Kaiser HA (1996) The retained surgical sponge. Ann Surg 224:79–84PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Sarker MM, Golam Kibria AKM, Haque MM, Sarker KP, Rahman MK (2006) Spontaneous transmural migration of a retained surgical mop into the small intestinal lumen causing sub-acute intestinal obstruction: a case report. TAJ 19(1):34–37 Sarker MM, Golam Kibria AKM, Haque MM, Sarker KP, Rahman MK (2006) Spontaneous transmural migration of a retained surgical mop into the small intestinal lumen causing sub-acute intestinal obstruction: a case report. TAJ 19(1):34–37
12.
go back to reference Gupta NM, Chaudhary A, Nanda V, Malik AK (1985) Retained surgical sponge after laparotomy, unusual presentation. Dis Colon Rectum 28:451–453PubMedCrossRef Gupta NM, Chaudhary A, Nanda V, Malik AK (1985) Retained surgical sponge after laparotomy, unusual presentation. Dis Colon Rectum 28:451–453PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Kubota A, Haniuda N et al (2000) A case of retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) and MRI features. Jpn J Gastroenterol Surg 33:1719–1723CrossRef Kubota A, Haniuda N et al (2000) A case of retained surgical sponge (gossypiboma) and MRI features. Jpn J Gastroenterol Surg 33:1719–1723CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Robinson KB, Levin EJ (1966) Erosion of retained surgical sponges into the intestine. AJR 96:339–343 Robinson KB, Levin EJ (1966) Erosion of retained surgical sponges into the intestine. AJR 96:339–343
15.
go back to reference Düx M, Ganten M, Lubienski A, Grenacher L (2002) Retained surgical sponge with migration into the duodenum and persistent duodenal fistula. Eur Radiol 12:874–877 Düx M, Ganten M, Lubienski A, Grenacher L (2002) Retained surgical sponge with migration into the duodenum and persistent duodenal fistula. Eur Radiol 12:874–877
16.
17.
go back to reference Mason LB (1968) Migration of surgical sponge into small intestine. JAMA 205:122–123 Mason LB (1968) Migration of surgical sponge into small intestine. JAMA 205:122–123
18.
go back to reference Crossen HA, Crossen DF (1940) Foreign bodies left in the abdomen. CV Mosby Co, St Louis, p 49 Crossen HA, Crossen DF (1940) Foreign bodies left in the abdomen. CV Mosby Co, St Louis, p 49
19.
go back to reference Chau WK, Lai KH, Lo KJ (1984) Sonographic findings of intra-abdominal foreign bodies due to retained gauze. Gastrointest Radiol 9:61–63PubMedCrossRef Chau WK, Lai KH, Lo KJ (1984) Sonographic findings of intra-abdominal foreign bodies due to retained gauze. Gastrointest Radiol 9:61–63PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Sheward JE, Williams AG, Mettler FA (1986) CT appearance of a surgically retained towel; (Gossypiboma). J Comput Assist Tomogr 10:343–345PubMedCrossRef Sheward JE, Williams AG, Mettler FA (1986) CT appearance of a surgically retained towel; (Gossypiboma). J Comput Assist Tomogr 10:343–345PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Naik KS, Carrington BM, Yates W, Clarke NW (2000) The post-cystectomy pseudotumour sign: MRI appearances of a modified chronic pelvic haematoma due to retained haemostatic gauze. Clin Radiol 55:970–974PubMedCrossRef Naik KS, Carrington BM, Yates W, Clarke NW (2000) The post-cystectomy pseudotumour sign: MRI appearances of a modified chronic pelvic haematoma due to retained haemostatic gauze. Clin Radiol 55:970–974PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference National Association of Theatre Nurses (2005) Swab, instrument and needles count. In: NATN standards and recommendations for safe perioperative practice. Harrogate, pp 233–237 National Association of Theatre Nurses (2005) Swab, instrument and needles count. In: NATN standards and recommendations for safe perioperative practice. Harrogate, pp 233–237
23.
go back to reference Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (2007) Recommended practices for sponge, sharp, and instrument counts. In: Standards, recommended practices and guidelines. AORN Inc., Denver, CO, pp 493–502 Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (2007) Recommended practices for sponge, sharp, and instrument counts. In: Standards, recommended practices and guidelines. AORN Inc., Denver, CO, pp 493–502
24.
go back to reference Australian College of Operating Room Nurses and Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (2006) Counting of accountable items used during surgery. In: Standards for perioperative nurses. ACORN, O’Halloran Hill, South Australia, pp 1–12 Australian College of Operating Room Nurses and Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (2006) Counting of accountable items used during surgery. In: Standards for perioperative nurses. ACORN, O’Halloran Hill, South Australia, pp 1–12
25.
go back to reference Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (2007) Surgical counts. In: Recommended standards, guidelines, and position statements for perioperative nursing practice. Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (2007) Surgical counts. In: Recommended standards, guidelines, and position statements for perioperative nursing practice. Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga
26.
go back to reference South African Theatre Nurse (2007) Swab, instrument and needle counts. In: Guidelines for basic theatre procedures. Panorama, South Africa South African Theatre Nurse (2007) Swab, instrument and needle counts. In: Guidelines for basic theatre procedures. Panorama, South Africa
28.
go back to reference Berlin L (2009) Malpractice issues in radiology: res ipsa loquitur. AJR Am J Roentgenol 193(6):1475–1480PubMedCrossRef Berlin L (2009) Malpractice issues in radiology: res ipsa loquitur. AJR Am J Roentgenol 193(6):1475–1480PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Agarwal BB (2009) A self-tailored hernia mesh using lightweight material: a note of caution—res ipsa loquitur. Surg Endosc 23(7):1684–1685, Epub 2009 May 23PubMedCrossRef Agarwal BB (2009) A self-tailored hernia mesh using lightweight material: a note of caution—res ipsa loquitur. Surg Endosc 23(7):1684–1685, Epub 2009 May 23PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Gossypiboma and Surgeon- Current Medicolegal Aspect – A Review
Authors
Rabi Sankar Biswas
Suvro Ganguly
Makhan Lal Saha
Subhasis Saha
Subhabrata Mukherjee
Asif Ayaz
Publication date
01-08-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Indian Journal of Surgery / Issue 4/2012
Print ISSN: 0972-2068
Electronic ISSN: 0973-9793
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-012-0446-3

Other articles of this Issue 4/2012

Indian Journal of Surgery 4/2012 Go to the issue