Gauze left in kidney for 14 years turns into tumor

A 66-year-old woman in Hanoi underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her left kidney, only to discover that the tumor was actually caused by a piece of medical gauze left behind from a kidney stone operation 14 years ago. Prior to the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with a left kidney tumor and recurrent renal pelvis stones, which were a result of a previous stone removal surgery done 14 years ago.

The doctors at Central Military Hospital 108 were initially puzzled by the case, as the presence of the forgotten gauze made it difficult to accurately diagnose the condition before surgery. Pathology results showed that there was a mass pressing on the kidney parenchyma, containing foreign objects like gauze fibers. This led to the formation of a pseudo-kidney tumor due to the presence of the gauze.

The patient had previously undergone open surgery to remove a kidney stone, and her health had been stable until she recently discovered the tumor in her left kidney. Dr. Nguyen Viet Hai from the Department of Urology explained that the gauze fibers had been gradually disappearing over the years, making it challenging to detect the foreign object.

During surgery, gauze bandages are essential for absorbing blood and assisting in surgical procedures. However, the presence of the forgotten gauze highlights the importance of following strict surgical protocols and counting all materials used during the operation. Errors in counting and removing bandages can result in complications, as seen in this rare case in Hanoi.