[A retained gauze as a cause of unexplained abdominal complaints].

Three patients, two men aged 36 and 62 years and one woman aged 41 years, developed serious symptoms after abdominal surgery which appeared to be based on a retained gauze. In one patient the interval was 15 years, in the second patient the surgery was a minor procedure and in the third patient a surgical towel was retained in the abdominal cavity. After repeated surgery and complementary treatment the patients made a good recovery. Despite all of the precautions taken during surgical procedures, retained foreign bodies continue to be a clinical problem. This can only be overcome if all the members in an operation team work together meticulously.