Gossypiboma, varied presentations: a report of two cases

A mass formed around a cotton matrix left within the body is termed as textiloma or gossypiboma. It is a rare complication of surgery most commonly seen after abdominal operations. The time of presentation may range from early post-operative period to several decades later. A correct diagnosis can be made in only one-third of the cases. The most common differential diagnosis is a new-onset or recurrent tumor. This may lead to a lot of patient anxiety as well as several unnecessary attempts at biopsy or surgery. Gossypiboma may present as either of the following syndromes - pseudotumoral, occlusive, or septic entity and the risk of fistulization increases with time. We present two diverse cases, the first case being of a patient with gastro-cutaneous fistula due to retained sponge presenting within 2 months of open cholecystectomy, while the second case presented 13 years after a hysterectomy, with abdominal lump and obstruction caused by a retained sponge.