RETAINED SURGICAL FOREIGN BODIES:CAN THESE BE PREVENTED?

Objectives: To determine the frequency and modes of presentation of retained surgical foreign bodies. Methodology: This study was carried out mainly at a private teaching hospital i.e. Isra University Hospital and four other non-teaching private hospitals of Hyderabad city over a period of five years from June 2004 to May 2009. Results: A total of 15 patients with retained surgical foreign body were found during the above mentioned study period. Female patients were more common than male patients. Gynaecological procedures were more frequently associated with surgical retained foreign bodies. Most (60%) of the causative procedures were performed as emergency procedures. Retained sponge was the most frequent foreign body (60%) followed by gauze piece. Discharging sinuses and abdominal masses (33.3% each) were the most frequent presentations followed by intestinal obstruction (20%). Conclusion: Retained surgical foreign body is a rare but well known iatrogenic complication of surgery mostly seen in procedures done as emergency. Discharging sinuses, abdominal mass and intestinal obstruction are the most common modes of presentation. Proper frequent double sponge count and use of radioopaque markers are the major preventive measures to safeguard against this dangerous complication.