A Case Report on Retained Surgical Mop in Abdomen- Endoscopic Extraction

Abstract

Surgical mop retained in the abdominal cavity following surgery is a serious but avoidable complication. The condition may manifest either as an exudative inflammatory reaction with formation of abscess, or aseptically with a fibrotic reaction developing into a mass. This case report documents the successful extraction of a retained surgical mop from duodenum in a 50 years old lady, who presented with features of gastric outlet obstruction 11 months following open cholecystectomy. This case underscores the importance of vigilance for gossypiboma in post-operative patients and highlights endoscopy as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool which can avoid invasive surgical interventions.