Abdominal gossypiboma removal in a canine patient

Gossypibomas are lesions that develop in response to retained surgical swabs; these cause an inflammatory reaction and lead to the formation of an abscess or a mass. They can have severe consequences, such as viscera perforation, sepsis and the development of a malignant neoplasm. The most effective treatment is excision, which carries inherent surgical and anaesthetic risks for the patient. Registered veterinary nurses play a pivotal role, both in minimising the possibility of surgical materials being unintentionally retained, and in the care of patients who undergo surgery for gossypiboma removal. This case report describes the surgical management of a canine patient with an abdominal gossypiboma and discusses the importance of counting surgical materials, as well as measures that can be implemented in the operating theatre to ensure patient safety.