Retained Sponge: A Rare Complication in Acetabular Osteosinthesis.

Area of Science:

• Surgical complications
• Medical imaging
• Trauma surgery

Background:

• Retained surgical sponges are a rare but serious complication following surgical procedures.
• They can lead to a wide range of clinical symptoms, often presenting a diagnostic challenge.
• Polytrauma patients are particularly susceptible due to complex injuries and multiple surgical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of a retained surgical sponge after acetabular fracture surgery.
• To emphasize the diagnostic difficulties associated with this rare complication.
• To highlight the importance of including retained foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis for postoperative complications.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 35-year-old male patient with an open acetabular fracture.
• Surgical reduction of the acetabular fracture via an ilio-inguinal approach.
• Diagnosis of retained sponge using abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan.

Main Results:

• The patient developed massive wound dehiscence 4 days post-surgery.
• Abdominal CT revealed a 10 cm mass adjacent to the left iliac crest, identified as a probable foreign body (surgical sponge).
• The retained sponge was presumed to be the cause of the wound complications.

Conclusions:

• Retained surgical sponges can manifest with diverse clinical symptoms, including pain, infection, and palpable masses.
• This rare complication should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any postoperative patient with concerning symptoms.
• Vigilance and appropriate imaging are crucial for timely diagnosis and management of retained surgical items.