Background

Gossypiboma denotes a foreign body made of cotton that is retained inside the patient during surgery [1]. Although it is an uncommon condition, it is the dread of every surgeon. It has been reported to occur following surgical procedures such as abdominal, thoracic, cardiovascular, orthopedic, urological and even neurosurgical operations [2–4]. It is estimated to occur in one in 100 to 3000 cases for all surgical interventions and one in 1000 to 1500 for intra-abdominal operations [5]. Preoperative diagnosis may be difficult due to nonspecific symptoms and inconclusive imaging findings [6]. There have been few reports of intravesical gossypibomas and even fewer reports of cystoscopic removal [7–9]. We report a case of a retained intravesical sponge following open cystolithotomy, with transurethral removal under cystoscopic guidance.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old man from western Nepal presented to us with a history of urinary retention for 20 days for which a urinary catheter was placed. He had been experiencing increased urinary frequency, dysuria, suprapubic pain, intermittent fever and hematuria for the last six months. He had undergone an open cystolithotomy for vesical calculus one year previously in a peripheral hospital. On examination, his vitals were stable with a lower midline scar (Figure 1) and mild tenderness over his lower suprapubic region, with a Foley catheter in situ. A urine analysis showed pyuria, with12 to 15 red blood cells, and a urine culture showed growth of Proteus mirabilis sensitive to nitrofurantoin. A renal function test and other investigations were within normal limits. An abdominal X-ray was unremarkable and ultrasound examination showed sludge in his urinary bladder, with a mass of 8 cm × 13 cm. Our patient was diagnosed with a bladder mass and cystoscopy was planned after a week of antibiotics. The cystoscopy revealed a large mass in the anterior wall of his bladder, mimicking a fungating bladder tumor. Upon further examination, pieces of cotton thread were evident and confirmed the mass to be a gossypiboma (Figure 2); there was no other bladder mass. Surgical gauze of around 6 cm × 10 cm was removed piecemeal using Double J stent removing forceps and a lithotrite (Figures 3 and 4). His postoperative recovery was unremarkable.

Figure 1
figure 1

Preoperative open cystolithotomy scar

Full size image
Figure 2
figure 2

Visualization of the surgical sponge after manipulation during cystoscopy.

Full size image
Figure 3
figure 3

Transurethral removal of the surgical sponge using a lithotrite.

Full size image
Figure 4
figure 4

The surgical sponge after removal.

Full size image

Discussion

Gossypiboma is rarely seen in clinical practice. Intra-abdominal gossypiboma is the most common. Intravesical gossypiboma is infrequently reported in the literature [9], probably in part due to the legal implications, setting up a vicious cycle of non-anticipation and misdiagnosis. There have also been reports of calcified retained vesical gauze mimicking bladder stones [8] and even spontaneous transurethral protrusion [7].

The preoperative diagnosis of retained gauze may be difficult, especially if radio opaque markers are not placed like in our case. Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can aid in diagnosis but still may be confusing [10]. The presence of brightly echogenic wavy structures showing posterior acoustic shadowing that change in parallel with the direction of the ultrasound beam has been reported as a diagnostic feature of a gossypiboma [11]. Computed tomography findings may be indistinguishable from those for an intra-abdominal mass or abscess, since air bubbles, calcification and contrast enhancement of the rim may be seen in both conditions. A gossypiboma may be misdiagnosed as a tumor, which may lead to unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures or extensive surgery.

Once a gossypiboma is identified, it should be removed. Surgery had been the mainstay in the removal of foreign bodies for many years. However, various techniques have been applied for the removal of retained gauze, such as percutaneous, endoscopic and laparoscopic extraction and open surgery, depending on clinical presentations and facilities available. Nosher et al. described six patients in whom percutaneous extraction was successful [12]. Rafique described three cases of cystoscopic removal [13].

Clearly, prevention of this condition is preferable; this can be achieved by a meticulous count of surgical materials in addition to thorough exploration of the surgical site at the conclusion of surgery. Although textiles impregnated with radio-opaque markers are widely used by surgeons in the developed world, it is not practiced in our part of the world and thus diagnosis is still difficult. Radio-opaque markers should be routinely used and if in doubt, intraoperative radiologic screening should be done. Gossypiboma is a surgical mishap which can be avoided if guidelines for operative theatre record keeping are carefully followed. The surgical team should not unquestionably accept correct count reports, but should develop the habit of performing a brief but thorough routine post procedure wound body cavity exploration before closure. The routine use of radio-opaque markers, not currently used in our part of the world, is a must. Despite all the technologic advances of the 21st century, human fallibility remains. The possibility of gossypiboma exists even in modern medicine. As litigation is becoming ever more common for this avoidable problem, prevention is highly desirable. Among the many alternative methods of treatment, endoscopic removal is possible in some cases.

Conclusion

Intravesical gossypibomas are rare and can mimic a bladder mass. This is one of the few reported cases where removal was performed with the help of cystoscopic guidance.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this manuscript and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.