A retained surgical sponge presenting as chronic pelvic pain

Background: Gossypiboma, the term for a retained sponge, is an underestimated occurrence related to gynecologic surgery. The postoperative presentation can be acute or subacute with symptoms that include pelvic pain. Case: A 39-year-old G7P3043 female presented with chronic pelvic pain. Her only past surgeries were 16 and 21 years prior. After failing to respond to conservative options, she was taken to the operating room for a hysterectomy and possible salpingoophorectomy. During the surgery, a retained sponge was found and removed. Postoperatively, the pain resolved completely. Conclusion: Although gossypiboma is an uncommon cause of chronic pelvic pain, patients can present years later with minimal complications other than discomfort. Accurate sponge and instrument counts, along with radiologic evaluation when a discrepancy is found, can be helpful. Newer technologies are also being developed to help avoid this complication.