Management of abdominal textilomas: A retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Surgical Complications
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Abdominal Surgery

Background:

• Textilomas represent a rare but recognized complication following surgical procedures.
• These retained foreign bodies can lead to significant patient morbidity and mortality.
• Understanding their occurrence is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the frequency and characteristics of abdominal textilomas.
• To evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management outcomes.
• To provide data supporting the implementation of preventative measures against textilomas.

Main Methods:

• A 10-year retrospective, descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary hospital.
• Data collected included initial surgical intervention details, diagnosis, and treatment of textiloma cases.
• Patient demographics, clinical signs, and management outcomes were documented.

Main Results:

• Twenty-one cases of abdominal textiloma were identified over 10 years (2.1 cases/year).
• The majority of initial operations occurred in public facilities, with myomectomy being a common indication.
• Significant morbidity (38.10%) and mortality (9.52%) were observed, with emergency extraction in 61.90% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Abdominal textilomas are infrequent but associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality.
• The diverse clinical presentations and diagnostic complexities underscore the importance of prevention.
• Enhanced vigilance and standardized surgical practices are essential to minimize textiloma occurrence.