Current inconsistencies in the reporting of cases of intraabdominal retained textile foreign bodies

Abstract

Background: It is assumed that the incidence of textile foreign bodies (TFB) unintentionally left in abdominal cavity is underreported, mostly due to the legal implications of their detection. Material and methods: One hundred thirty-five responses were received to a specially developed anonymous questionnaire on the TFB problem, including medico-legal aspects. Of the total number of respondents, 81 were surgeons and 54 – gynecologists. Results: Over 80% of respondents consider that if TFB was removed from abdominal cavity during the surgical intervention, it should be indicated in the final diagnosis. At the same time, the fact of detecting and removing TFB retained in abdomen in the real cases known by respondents was reflected in the surgical report and in diagnosis in only 49.1%. False description in case of detection and removal of intra-abdominal TFB admits 29.6% from total number of respondents, but only 24.5% with a shorter length of work (<15 years), and 40.7% – with a work experience over 15 years. Conclusions: Surprisingly, about 20% of respondents consider it justified not to indicate retained TFB in the final diagnosis. Moreover, the real frequency of TFB diagnosis concealment is 1.6 times higher and sharply contradicts the declared intentions about the need to report the true cause of pathology. Almost half of surgeons with a long lasting work experience allow a false description of intraoperative findings and, as a result, the official diagnosis.