Unexpected autoptic finding in a sudden death: gossypiboma

Gossypiboma, i.e. a retained surgical sponge, is a serious and rare complication in surgical practice, most commonly occurring in abdominal procedures. Migration of retained surgical sponge is an unusual sequelae, particularly if occurring in tracheo-bronchial tree. Herein, we report a 35-year-old man who had had a retained surgical sponge forgotten during a radical thyroidectomy, and subsequently a trans-luminal migration of the gossypiboma which went through the trachea causing a sudden death of the patient. All the operators of the surgical team should keep in mind this terrible complication to avoid unpleasant consequences to patient and themselves.