Transmural Migration of Gossypiboma: a Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen

Gossypiboma is the retained foreign body which is generally a cotton sponge/gauze after surgery. Incidence of gossypiboma is around one in 3000 to 5000 surgeries. This low incidence is mainly attributed to a low case reporting due to an associated medicolegal aspect. We are reporting a case of a 38 years old male, who presented with signs and symptoms of peritonitis. The patient had a history of open cholecystectomy 2 years back. A working diagnosis of perforation peritonitis was made, and the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy. Intraoperatively, a surgical sponge was present inside the ileal lumen causing intestinal obstruction with dense adhesion of bowel loops proximal to the site of obstruction with multiple ileal perforations. Even though the incidence of gossypiboma is very low, it should always be kept in mind as a cause of chronic abdominal pain and abdominal discomfort in a patient with previous abdominal surgery.