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This condition is known as gossypiboma, a term used when surgical material, like a sponge, is accidentally left inside a patient.
Doctors discovered a cyst in the area where she experienced pain. (Photo Source: Freepik)
A 38-year-old woman in Delhi went through years of unexplained pain following a cesarean delivery she had undergone abroad. What seemed like routine post-surgical discomfort eventually turned into something far more serious and unexpected.
According to a report in Live Science, she had given birth via emergency C-section and soon after started experiencing pain in the lower right side of her abdomen. As per the report, doctors at the time assured her it was normal post-op pain. But over time, a lump developed, and the pain became more severe.
A Growing Lump
It wasn’t until four years later, in 2014, that the woman sought further medical advice in Delhi. Doctors carried out an ultrasound and a CT scan, which revealed a cyst in the area where she experienced pain. Initially, they suspected it to be a mesenteric cyst, a type of benign tumour that can cause discomfort and pain.
But to confirm this, doctors turned to an MRI scan. This is where things got even more puzzling. According to the report, the scan showed what looked like a thick membrane inside the cyst. The image raised the possibility of a tapeworm infection, which can happen if someone consumes food contaminated with tapeworm eggs.
Since imaging tests could not clearly identify what was inside the cyst, doctors decided to surgically remove it. During the operation, they found that the mass had fused with a part of the small intestine, which they had to cut and remove as well. The woman recovered well and was discharged a week later.
A Sponge Caused It All
The cyst was unusually large, as it was around 20 centimetres in length. But when doctors opened it up, they found a surgical sponge at the core. They believed that it had been accidentally left behind during her C-section abroad.
As per the report, if the body sees any foreign object, it is treated as a threat. But since the sponge “could not easily disintegrate,” likely because it was sterile, the immune system responded by safely sealing it off inside a protective cyst instead of triggering an infection.
Rare Condition
This condition is known as gossypiboma, a term used when surgical material, like a sponge, is unintentionally left inside a patient. While rare, it does happen. The report mentioned that such incidents occur in about 1 in every 1,000 to 1,500 surgeries, especially in emergency situations or when surgical teams change mid-procedure.
Sponges used in surgeries are meant to absorb blood, but once soaked, they can blend in with body tissue. In this case, the sponge material wasn’t detectable on standard scans which made diagnosis even harder.
A Call For Stricter Protocols
The case report, published on July 16 by Live Science, pointed to the importance of stronger surgical protocols. It is noted that using only radio-detectable sponges and ensuring a complete count of sponges before and after procedures can help prevent such incidents.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
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Delhi, India, India
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