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Retained Foreign Body: "Needle in a Haystack"
Lauren O'Brien1, Kathleen M Eyster, Keith A Hansen
1From the *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas; †Departments of Basic Biomedical Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, and ‡Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota, South Dakota.
Abstract:
Retained foreign bodies remain an area of potential patient harm. This case describes a retained needle from distant surgery discovered at the time of the needle count after myomectomy.
Insights
Retained surgical needles pose a risk to patients. A case report details a needle retained from prior surgery found during a post-myomectomy needle count.
Area of Science:
- Medical safety
- Surgical procedures
- Patient harm prevention
Background:
- Retained foreign bodies after surgery are a known source of patient harm.
- Accurate surgical counts are critical for preventing retained items.
Observation:
- A case is presented of a retained surgical needle.
- The needle was discovered during the routine needle count following a myomectomy procedure.
Findings:
- The retained needle originated from a surgery performed at a distant time and location.
- The discovery occurred unexpectedly during the immediate postoperative needle count.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of meticulous surgical counts, even in cases with a history of prior procedures.
- Underscores the potential for retained foreign bodies to be identified long after the initial surgery.
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance in surgical safety protocols to prevent patient harm.
