A retained sponge is a complication of vacuum-assisted closure therapy.

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system has become a widely used, efficacious, and overall safe method for managing many types of open wounds. The authors present a case of a rare but avoidable complication caused by a retained piece of sponge after VAC therapy (KCI Inc, San Antonio, TX). They emphasize the need for awareness and careful evaluation of the patient who receives VAC therapy to avoid diagnostic confusion and morbidity to the patient.