Peritonitis and toxic megacolon from foreign body retention following a gynaecologic surgery: A case report

Foreign body retention, also known as gossypiboma, is a rare but serious complication of surgical procedures, particularly in abdominal and gynecologic surgeries. This case report describes a 35-year-old woman who developed peritonitis and toxic megacolon due to a retained abdominal mop following tubal adhesionolysis for infertility. Initial post-operative symptoms included vomiting, constipation, and signs of peritoneal irritation. Despite initial medical management for intestinal obstruction, the patient deteriorated, leading to an emergency exploratory laparotomy where the foreign body was removed. Post-laparotomy, the patient experienced necrotizing megacolon with fecal drainage from surgical wounds, necessitating referral for colostomy. This case highlights the importance of surgical counting protocols to prevent retained foreign bodies and the potential for severe complications like peritonitis and toxic megacolon.