Rare but Dangerous: Kidney Tumor Caused by Forgotten Gauze in Vietnam

In Hanoi, a 66-year-old woman 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.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Hai from the Department of Urology explained that gauze fibers can gradually disappear over time, making it challenging for surgeons to detect them. During surgery, gauze bandages are essential for absorbing blood and assisting in surgical procedures. However, errors in counting and removing bandages can result in complications like this rare case in Hanoi. It is crucial for surgeons to follow strict surgical protocols and count all materials used during an operation to prevent such complications from occurring again.

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. The removal of the gauze during subsequent operations would have likely prevented this complication from happening again.

In conclusion, this case highlights how important it is for surgeons to follow strict surgical protocols and count all materials used during an operation. It also underscores how even small mistakes can have serious consequences for patients’ health.

In summary: A 66-year-old woman underwent surgery to remove a tumor from her left kidney but discovered that it was caused by medical gauze left behind from a previous kidney stone operation 14 years ago. Doctors were initially puzzled by this case but eventually determined that there was foreign matter present in the removed tissue due to guaze fibers. Gauze bandages are vital during surgeries but their misuse can lead to complications like this rare case in Hanoi.

It is critical for surgeons following strict surgical protocols and counting all materials used during an operation as small mistakes can have severe consequences on patients’ health