Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
05:30
Surgical Approach and Complications of Stand-alone Lateral Trans-Psoas Interbody Fusion
Published on: February 14, 2025
Postoperative complications due to a retained surgical sponge.
1Department of Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, India.
Singapore Medical Journal
|June 1, 2007
Summary
Retained surgical sponges can cause serious postoperative complications, including gastric and intestinal obstruction. Early detection and removal are crucial for patient recovery and preventing further harm.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Surgical Complications
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Retained surgical sponges, also known as gossypibomas, are an infrequent but significant complication.
- Underreporting due to fear of litigation and negative publicity is a concern.
Observation:
- Three cases of postoperative complications from retained surgical sponges are presented.
- Complications included gastric outlet obstruction, repeated intestinal obstruction, and colonic obstruction with internal fistulae.
Findings:
- A retained sponge caused gastric outlet obstruction relieved by endoscopic removal.
- Another case involved intestinal obstruction requiring surgical sponge removal.
- A third patient developed colonic obstruction and multiple internal fistulae due to a retained sponge.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of vigilance for retained surgical items.
- Underscores the potential for severe morbidity even with seemingly minor surgical events.
- Emphasizes the need for improved surgical safety protocols to prevent retained foreign objects.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy and laparoscopy are distinct medical procedures that enable physicians to internally inspect different parts of the GI tract. Although they serve different purposes, each is essential for diagnosing and, in some cases, treating various medical conditions.
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
Equipment Required
01:24Healing II: Complications
Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
01:28Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy may undergo a septal myectomy (Morrow procedure). This procedure involves excising a portion of the hypertrophied septum below the aortic valve using a heart-lung machine to improve blood flow through the LVOT. Effective preoperative and postoperative nursing management ensures successful patient outcomes, minimizes complications, and...
01:25Endoscopic Procedures II: Colonoscopy
The colon, or large intestine, is the final segment of the digestive system. Its primary functions include absorbing water and vitamins produced by gut bacteria and transforming waste from liquid to solid to form stool. In adults, the large intestine is approximately 5 feet long and consists of four main sections: