Retained gauze swabs in the neck

Cases J. 2009 Jul 27;2:6413.
A submandibular gossypiboma mimicking a salivary fistula: a case report.
Amr AE.

Department of Surgery Sahel Educational Hospital, Cairo Egypt.
Abstract
Retained gauze swabs in the neck have seldom been reported. We present the case of a 27-years-old man who suffered a persistent discharging sinus for 8 years following excision of a right submandibular gland. Computed tomography fistulography was done showing a Blind track ending into a cavity just beneath the floor of mouth. Neck exploration eventually revealed 2 gauze swabs that were tightly packed in the area of submandibular duct. This article further emphasizes the importance of sound operative room practice to avoid this serious problem.