Gossypiboma in Liberia: A Case of Retained Calcified Gauze in the Urinary Bladder Following Caeserian Section

Background: Surgical sponges are used in almost all surgeries in Liberia and around the world. They sometimes may inadvertently be left in the body following a surgery and are then referred to as gossypibomas or textiloma. Their presence can result in significant morbidity and even mortality for the patient, and unpleasant medicolegal consequences for the surgeon. This case is the first to be reported from Liberia. Case Presentation: A 43-year-old para 3, alive 3 Liberian lady, presented in our emergency room in acute urinary retention. Plain kidney, ureter and bladder X-rays showed an amorphous calcified object within the urinary bladder. Abdominal ultrasound scan revealed 7 cm × 5 cm bladder stone. She underwent open cystolithotomy, and a partially calcified gauze swab was recovered from the bladder. The patient was discharged after a smooth post-operative period and follow-up cystoscopy showed no intravesical abnormality. Conclusion: Gossypiboma or textiloma is apparently very rare in Liberia, as there is no mention of its occurrence in academic literature from Liberia. The presence of any foreign body in the bladder can potentiate the formation of a calculus. Radiological findings are variable and non-specific, thus increasing the risk of a missed diagnosis. The morbidity associated with this condition and the possibility of medico-legal liability make prevention of this condition imperative.