Has anyone had an item left inside of them after surgery? Or does anyone know of someone who has?

I had surgery 6 weeks ago and noticed tonight that I have fabric coming out of my cut. I had an ACI done and they had to cut me 6 inches. I am going to go back to the doctor Monday but was wondering if anyone here has ever had to deal with anything like this? I did not notice it before because I still had dried blood all over the bottom of the cut.
Thanks Tracy

****I was going to add a picture but I don't know how or if I can for that matter****

UPDATE:

I went back to the doctor yesterday and he snipped it away. He said that it was a absorbent disposable suture from where he sewed my leg up inside. He told me it was nothing to worry about. I asked of course the well if it is disposable then why from me just taking a shower did it not fall out or go away, I also asked how did a piece of it come out......He looked at me as if I was crazy for asking such questions. So, all I can do now is trust him. His bedside manners are lacking a lot. Don't get me wrong his work is great but he could spend a little more time with his patients along with being more friendlier. I was really afraid that my knee was rejecting the implant.

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Give me the wisdom and grace to understand

Tracy S
Mommy to 5 little girls
Victoria
Alyssa
Samantha & Selena
Malaya
Tracy_s5girls@yahoo.com

Sorry, no experience with that kind of stuff here. But I highly suggest, you take pictures of what you have so that you have proof if need be. I would also take the camera to the Doctor's appointment with you and take pictures there if you have too.

"Cover your butt" so to speak so you have documentation.

Good luck.

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"Why must you speak, when you have nothing to say." Horatio Hornblower

When I was having my youngest DD, I had to have a C-section. As the doctor was prepping me, he was counting the sponges he was going to use out loud to the nurse. I counted in my head b/c there was an article around that time about this. When he was finished and counting back the sponges, he only counted 9 instead of 10. I looked right at him and told him he better count again, there were suppose to be 10 and he would be opening me back up but the nurse interjected and recounted. His response was, I was always bad at math!. WTH!!! At least he didn't say he wasn't good at doing a C-section.

I would do as the other poster mention and take pictures just in case. Hope all goes well.

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Proud Single Mother to 18 year old Twins Ashley/Davey, 14 year old Shawna, 5 year old Emma, and my Boo Bear, "Angel Hope" (1996-1997) RIP Boo.

My son is a surigical nurse. It is one nurse's responsibility to count everything. Sometimes he does that job. Other nurses are there to hand the correct tool to the doctor. It is not the doctor's job to keep count. Also, did you know that another doctor or intern might be the one opening and closing you during surgery? Two years ago, my dh had surgery for prostate cancer (he had his prostate removed). My two sons were there. We decided to get something to eat. When we went to the cafe, my dh's doctor was in front of us getting pizza. I freaked but my son and the doctor said someone else was doing the opening and closing leaving his doctor there for the important work. It was a 3 hour operation.

Are you sure they aren't steristrips?

I would think that after 6 weeks the wound would be healed. Perhaps if it isn't there is something there irritating the wound? I agree with the above posters -- take pictures that show the wound.

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My cousin had a sponge left in her after her DD was born. Took them way too long to figure out that was the problem. She was VERY VERY ill. By the time they figured it out she had a really bad infection. She survived but had a really hard time for quite a while.

No, I had a total of 10 Steristrips on the outside of the 6 inch cut and they all came off perfectly.

__________________
Give me the wisdom and grace to understand

Tracy S
Mommy to 5 little girls
Victoria
Alyssa
Samantha & Selena
Malaya
Tracy_s5girls@yahoo.com

The wound is healed I would say, but towards the bottom of the cut there is a fabric (picture a small rope with about 500 strings cut and fraid) sticking out and then the cut below is sealed.

__________________
Give me the wisdom and grace to understand

Tracy S
Mommy to 5 little girls
Victoria
Alyssa
Samantha & Selena
Malaya
Tracy_s5girls@yahoo.com

I used to be a surgical room nurse and also a surgical tech . Everything is counted before the surgery and before closing. IF there is a wrong count, the surgeon does not finish closing, depending on what is off count, say a sponge, we checked everything on the tables, trash, and the patient. If its a needle then we also check the same thing, if not found then we bring in portable x-ray machine. I am not too sure what you are describing. Have you contacted your Dr.? Your Ortho should know what you are describing. I do hope there wasn't a error in counts.

Wondering is a steri while healing got into the wound, it has happened. Also it is not the Dr. who keeps count, he hands everything back to the tech, and at times things do get shoved aside. In an Ortho case, there are at times up to 70 different instruments used, and 3 tables. The sponges get put into a special can and then taken out and counted at the end.

Also it is true , if there is a intern he will assist with the surgery and also close depending on the surgery. Most Ortho's do have interns with them. Good Luck.

I called yesterday (Saturday) and talked to the doctor on call but he was no help. He would not comment on anything once I explained that it looked and felt like fabric that you could run your finger tip over and count the multiple pieces of thread. He told me that I needed to see my doctor Monday and that he was sorry for not being really any help.

__________________
Give me the wisdom and grace to understand

Tracy S
Mommy to 5 little girls
Victoria
Alyssa
Samantha & Selena
Malaya
Tracy_s5girls@yahoo.com

If you feel something is wrong, have it checked. Although things are counted before the patient is closed, these things do happen. I have seen it.

Oh, my goodness I hope every thing is all right. Keep us posted.

I hope not but yes, it happens. Not only that, when it happens, they frequently have the nerve to charge the patient thousands of dollars to rectify the medical problems they created. As you've already discovered, they will close ranks.

If you have a digital camera, take pictures. If you don't have a digital camera, buy a cheap one and take pictures. Whatever you do, take pictures and do it before you go to the doctor..

I've heard of things being left in people after surgery. Yours doesn't sound right, that's for sure. Defintely take pictures. And make sure you have someone go in the examination room with you when the doctor is examining and talking to you. Don't go alone! If there is something in there, I hope he isn't the type that will try to cover it up and say it's nothing.

Please let us know what you find out when you see the doctor.