Gossypiboma following mandible surgery: a case report and review of the literature

AbstractBackgroundGossypiboma, a foreign‐body granuloma induced by a retained surgical sponge, has rarely been reported in relation to the facial bones. The aim of this article is to draw attention to this potentially serious complication.Case presentationA 37‐year‐old Middle Eastern female reported to the clinic because of pain, mild swelling and paraesthesia in the anterior mandible area. Her symptoms started 2 years earlier shortly after chin implant surgery that was complicated by a local infection requiring removal of the implant. On clinical examination, there was mild swelling and tenderness in the anterior mandible region. A panoramic radiograph, a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral well‐defined cystic lesions in the parasymphyseal area of the mandible. The patient underwent trephine bone biopsy followed by complete excision of the lesion. Histopathological examination revealed foreign‐body granuloma with foreign bodies consistent with gauze, typical findings of gossypiboma. The patient made unremarkable post‐operative recovery and her preoperative symptoms subsided completely.ConclusionGossypiboma is a rare complication of m