Foreign body reactions secondary to cellulose lint fibers

Twenty-four cases of foreign body reactions secondary to cellulose lint fibers have been identified in three Portland area hospitals over a 5 year period. Ten of these cases involved extraperitoneal granuloma and 14 cases intraperitoneal granuloma. Six of the intraperitoneal reactions resulted in acute granulomatous peritonitis, and one of these patients died from this complication. Twenty-two additional operations were performed on these patients because of complications directly associated with this reaction. As estimated 400 days of additional hospitalization were required secondary to complications of foreign body reaction. Several precautionary measures have been identified that have decreased the incidence of this complication in our hospitals. Polypropylene drapes and gowns may provide a solution to this problem in the future.