In a shocking medical discovery, doctors in Vietnam found a piece of surgical gauze that had been left inside a patient’s abdomen for nearly a decade — a rare but serious case of retained surgical material that could have cost the patient his life.

A Decade of Unexplained Pain

The 42-year-old man had been experiencing chronic abdominal pain and digestive issues for years. Despite multiple check-ups and medication, no one could determine the exact cause of his discomfort — until a recent imaging scan revealed a foreign object lodged near his intestines.

Surgeons at a hospital in the northern province of Bắc Kạn performed an emergency operation and were stunned to discover a 10-centimeter piece of surgical gauze, believed to have been left behind during an abdominal surgery he underwent almost 10 years earlier.

“We were shocked to find gauze that had been in his body for so long,” one of the surgeons reported. “It had caused infection and severe inflammation, but fortunately, no permanent damage.”

A Rare But Preventable Error

Retained surgical items, such as sponges or gauze, are known as “never events” — serious medical errors that are considered entirely preventable. While rare, such incidents do still occur, particularly in emergency surgeries or in settings with insufficient post-op safety checks.

Medical experts emphasize that this case highlights the importance of strict surgical protocols, such as counting tools and materials before and after procedures.

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Patient on the Road to Recovery

After the gauze was removed, the patient’s condition improved rapidly. He is now recovering well and expected to make a full recovery.

However, the case has raised concern over medical safety procedures and has prompted the hospital to review its internal protocols to prevent future occurrences.

“This is a painful reminder that even small mistakes can lead to long-term suffering,” said one medical ethics advisor.