Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
08:34
Optimizing Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: A Fully 3D CT O-Arm Navigated Workflow in MIS TLIF
Published on: October 17, 2025
Retained surgical items and minimally invasive surgery.
1National Surgical Patient Safety Project-NoThing Left Behind®, 270 Collingwood Street, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA. drgibbs@nothingleftbehind.org
World Journal of Surgery
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Retained surgical items are a patient safety issue linked to operating room culture, not patient factors. Improving communication and practices among all staff is key to preventing these errors.
Area of Science:
- Patient Safety
- Surgical Procedures
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Retained surgical items (RSIs) represent a significant patient safety concern.
- Previous research focused on patient risk factors for RSIs.
- The perception that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) reduces RSI risk is common.
Observation:
- RSIs are not solely linked to patient characteristics.
- Operating room culture and multi-stakeholder practices are primary drivers of RSIs.
- Minimally invasive surgery is not immune to the risk of retained items.
Findings:
- RSI occurrence is primarily associated with systemic issues in operating room practices.
- Communication breakdowns among perioperative personnel contribute significantly to RSIs.
- Patient factors play a minimal role in the incidence of retained surgical items.
Implications:
- Preventing RSIs requires a shift in operating room culture and practices.
- Enhanced knowledge sharing and communication among all perioperative staff are crucial.
- Systemic changes are needed to address the root causes of retained surgical items.
