title: Gossypibomas in India - A systematic literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gossypibomas remain a dreaded and unwanted complication of surgical practice. Despite significant interest and numerous guidelines, the number of reported cases remains sparse due to various factors, including potential legal implications. Herein, we review related data from India to ascertain if the problem is better or worse than that reported in world literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar, to collect and analyze all case reports and case reviews regarding the condition in India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On analysis of the results, there were 100 publications reporting a total of 126 events. The average patient age was 38.65 years. Average time to discovery was 1225.62 days. Forty-nine percent of reported cases were discovered within the 1 st year. The most common clinical features were pain (73.8%), palpable mass (47.6%), vomiting (35%), abdominal distention (26%), and fever (12.6%). Spontaneous expulsion of the gossypiboma was noted in five cases (3.96%). Transmural migration was seen in 36 cases (28.57%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite advancements in surgical approaches and preventive measures, gossypibomas continue to be a cause of significant morbidity. A safe working culture, open communication, teamwork, and an accurate sponge count remain our best defence against this often unpredictable complication of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Patial
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thakur
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vijhay Ganesun
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D005547:Foreign Bodies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D011183:Postoperative Complications