Unexpected autoptic finding in a sudden death: gossypiboma.
Gossypiboma, i.e. a retained surgical sponge, is a serious and rare complication in surgical practice, most commonly occurring in abdominal procedures. Migration of retained surgical sponge is an unusual sequelae, particularly if occurring in tracheo-bronchial tree. Herein, we report a 35-year-old man who had had a retained surgical sponge forgotten during a radical thyroidectomy, and subsequently a trans-luminal migration of the gossypiboma which went through the trachea causing a sudden death of the patient. All the operators of the surgical team should keep in mind this terrible complication to avoid unpleasant consequences to patient and themselves.
Falleti
Jessica
J
Department of Biomorphological and Functional Science, University Federico II of Naples, via S. Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. shabo1@inwind.it
Somma
Anna
A
Baldassarre
Francesca
F
Accurso
Antonello
A
D'Ettorre
Antonio
A
Insabato
Luigi
L
D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D005402:Fistula / Q000473:pathology; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006097:Granulation Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015503:Surgical Sponges / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology*