Laparoscopic Removal of Giant Gossypiboma

Federico Sista, MD, Malek Tabbara, MD, Christophe Barrat, MD, PhD, Sergio Carandina, MD

Service de Chirurgie Digestive et Métabolique–Hôpital Jean Verdier Bondy France, Université Paris XIII, Paris, France (all authors). Università degli Studi di L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy (Dr. Sista).

ABSTRACT

Background: The term gossypiboma denotes a mass of cotton that is accidentally retained in the body postoperatively.

Case Report: Our case describes a 40-year-old female patient with a giant abdominal mass that occurred 9 years after a cesarean section delivery. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed a 20-cm mass. A laparoscopic retrieval was performed with the placement of trocars on the previous Pfannenstiel incision scar. The patient was discharged 48 hours after surgery without complications.

Discussion: Gossypibomas are not rare, are often asymptomatic, and can be laparoscopically treated. To date, the literature has described different cases and stressed retention time and size as being limitations of laparoscopic retrieval.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case of giant gossypiboma treated by laparoscopic suprapubic access. This approach permitted a reduction in complication rates, a shorter hospitalization time, and more satisfactory cosmetic results.

Key Words: Gossypiboma, Retained gauze, Surgical sponge, Foreign body.

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