Acute Bowel Obstruction Due to Gossypiboma: A Case Report

Gossypiboma is the term used to describe a surgical sponge that has been unintentionally left inside the body after an operation. Although rare, it remains a serious and preventable complication that can significantly increase patient morbidity and mortality, as well as pose substantial medicolegal challenges. Intra-abdominal gossypiboma can migrate into hollow organs such as the ileum, stomach, colon, or bladder without any visible breach in their walls. Preventive measures, including meticulous sponge counts and careful inspection of the surgical field before abdominal closure, are critical to avoid such incidents. This report presents the case of a 38-year-old woman in whom a retained surgical sponge had migrated into the small bowel, leading to acute intestinal obstruction.