Seger et al: Presentation, diagnosis, and management of gossypibomas in veterinary specialty hospitals: A multi-institutional study of 21 cases
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • Intra-abdominal gossypibomas were most common, with 20/21 cases located within the abdominal cavity.
  • Most cases (11/21) resulted from ovariohysterectomy, highlighting this as a common inciting surgery.
  • Time to presentation varied, with median of 13.5 days and signs like pyrexia, abdominal pain, and anorexia being common.
  • Only 4/21 cases had perioperative sponge counts reported, indicating poor compliance with surgical safety protocols.
  • Radiographic indicators were often absent, complicating imaging-based detection.
  • Urgent reoperation was needed in nearly half (10/21) of the animals, emphasizing the acute presentation and need for rapid surgical intervention.
  • Postoperative complications occurred in 4/21 animals, including sepsis, SIRS, and incontinence; 2 did not survive to discharge.
  • Overall prognosis was favorable, with 19/21 animals surviving to discharge and 15 reported as doing well at 2-week follow-up.

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Seger et al: Presentation, diagnosis, and management of gossypibomas in veterinary specialty hospitals: A multi-institutional study of 21 cases
Veterinary Surgery 1, 2026

🔍 Key Findings

  • Intra-abdominal gossypibomas were most common, with 20/21 cases located within the abdominal cavity.
  • Most cases (11/21) resulted from ovariohysterectomy, highlighting this as a common inciting surgery.
  • Time to presentation varied, with median of 13.5 days and signs like pyrexia, abdominal pain, and anorexia being common.
  • Only 4/21 cases had perioperative sponge counts reported, indicating poor compliance with surgical safety protocols.
  • Radiographic indicators were often absent, complicating imaging-based detection.
  • Urgent reoperation was needed in nearly half (10/21) of the animals, emphasizing the acute presentation and need for rapid surgical intervention.
  • Postoperative complications occurred in 4/21 animals, including sepsis, SIRS, and incontinence; 2 did not survive to discharge.
  • Overall prognosis was favorable, with 19/21 animals surviving to discharge and 15 reported as doing well at 2-week follow-up.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

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