Retained Gauze Material in the Nasal Cavity after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Ten Years: A Case Report

Abstract

We report a case of retained packing gauze material in the right nasal cavity for ten years. A 55-year-old woman presented to the emergency service with headache, nasal discharge, and epistaxis from the right nasal cavity. Her past surgical history included a functional endoscopic sinus surgery because of nasal polyposis 10 years ago. In the endoscopic nasal examination, foreign body similar to nasal packing material about 5 cm in length was detected in the right anterior ethmoid sinus. CT of the paranasal sinuses showed only loss of aeration in the right nasal cavity. The nasal packing material was removed under local anaesthesia on the same day. Foreign body left behind after operation is a serious medicolegal issue and is often under-reported.