Gossypibioma is a term used to describe a surgical sponge retained at the site of operation and the body’s response to the retained foreign body. Gossypibioma is derived from the words: ‘Gossypium’ which in Latin means cotton and ‘boma’, a swahili word meaning concealment.  It is a surgical mistake which can be avoided if operative theatre records are properly followed.  It is very rarely reported because of the the medicolegal implications and criticism by the mass media. Gossypibioma presents as a clinical and radiological diagnostic dilemma because of its variable and vague clinical presentations particularly in longstanding cases and imaging may mimic intra-abdominal abscess or neoplasm.  Gossypibioma may also present as an intra-abdominal soft tissue swelling or localised pain abdomen particularly following a surgery.  Most of the cases of Gossypibioma are usually detected within few days after surgery, but some may remain undetected for many years.  A case of 27 year old female was referred to our centre with a complaint of abdominal fullness since one year after delivery of her child by caesarean section.  After clinical and radiological correlation a differential diagnosis of Gastrointestinal stromal tumour, Desmoid tumour, Gossypibioma was made.  An exploratory laparotomy was performed, the mass was resected and tissue was sent for histopathological examination to confirm the diagnosis of Gossypibioma.

Keywords: Retained surgical mop, gossypibioma, retained foreign body, post surgery abdominal swelling.

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Dr Nithi Doley

Department of Pathology, INHS Kalyani, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – 530005, India