The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon, Table of Contents Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001; 49(3): 191-193DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-14298 Special Report © Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York A Forgotten Gauze Swab - Clinical and Legal Considerations C. Schmid1 , S. Krempel2 , H. H. Scheld1 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Münster, Germany 2Lawyer, Saarbrücken, Germany Recommend Article Abstract Buy Article All articles of this category In this report, we will present two cases of retained gauze swabs following open heart surgery. We will discuss diagnostic and treatment strategies as well as medicolegal implications with regard to individual liability and possible penalties according to the German law. Key words: Foreign body - Surgery - Malpractice Full Text References References 1 Alotti N, Kecskés G, Simon J, Tomcsányi J, Papp L. Gauze swabs left intrapericardially following cardiac surgery. J Cardiovasc Surg. 1999; 40 825-827 2 Le Neel J C, De Cussac J B, Dupas B, et al. Textilomas. A propos de 25 cas et revue de la littérature. Chirurgie (mémoire de l'Académie). Paris; Masson 1995: 272-277 3 Fernandez L R, Marin L FJ, Fradejas L JM, Diaz G LM, Camarero M E, Moreno A M. Postoperative textilomas: review of 14 cases. Int Surg. 1998; 83 63-66 4 Botet del Castillo F X, Lopez S, Reyes G, et al. Diagnosis of retained abdominal gauze swabs. Br J Surg. 1995; 82 227-228 5 de Lacey G. Retained surgical swabs: possible causes for errors in x-ray detection and an atlas to assist recognition. Br J Radiol. 1978; 51 691-698 6 Mc Killop G, Reid J H. Retained surgical swab misinterpreted as epicardial pacing wire on chest x-ray. Heart. 1996; 75 342 7 Patel A M, Trastek V F, Coles D T. Gossypibomas mimicking echinococcal cyst disease of the lung. Chest. 1994; 105 284-292 8 Sheehan R E, Sheppard M N, Hansell D M. Retained intrathoracic surgical swab: CT appearances. J Thorac Imaging. 2000; 15 61-64 9 Liessi G, Semisa M, Sandini F, Roma R, Spaliviero B, Marin G. Retained surgical gauzes: acute and chronic CT and US findings. Eur J Radiol. 1989; 9 182-186 10 Devgan M, Tucker E F. „Post-appendectomy cotton swabs” retained for 55 years. Case report. Mo Med. 1977; 74 23-24 11 Gonzalez-Ojeda A, Rodgriguez-Alcantar D A, Arenas-Marquez H, et al. Retained foreign bodies following intra-abdominal surgery. Hepatogastroenterology. 1999; 46 808-812 12 Rosner F, Berger J T, Kark P, Potash J, Bennett A J. Disclosure and prevention of medical errors. Arch Intern med. 2000; 160 2089-2092 PD Dr. med. Christof Schmid Department of Cardiothoracic SurgeryUniversity Hospital Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 33, 48419 MünsterGermany Phone: + 49-251-8357412 Fax: + 49-251-8348316 Email: schmid@uni-muenster.de
