Retained Surgical Sponge Expelled Through a Rectal Fistula With Spontaneous Passage Per Rectum

Abstract

Gossypiboma is a condition that occurs as a result of leaving sterile gauze, surgical sponges, or similar materials inadvertently retained in the body following surgery. The most common localization of gossypibomas is the intraabdominal cavity. Patients with gossypiboma can remain asymptomatic for years. Clinical manifestations and complications vary widely. Gossypibomas can result in significant complications based on the affected organ and its anatomical location. It is difficult to determine the exact incidence due to medicolegal issues. While prevention remains the most effective strategy for protecting against gossypiboma, the preferred treatment for abdominal gossypiboma is typically surgical intervention. This case aims to present a giant 25 × 25 cm textiloma that led to significant fistulization secondary to intraluminal migration and was expelled via the rectum, a phenomenon not previously reported in the literature.