Corpo estranho retido na cavidade abdominal durante onze anos / Retained surgical sponge in the abdominal cavity for eleven years

A retained foreign body in the abdominal cavity following surgery is a continuing problem. Despite precautions, the incidence is grossly underestimated. Presentation is possible as a pseudotumour, occlusive, or septic syndrome. We describe a case of retained surgical sponge that remained asymptomatic for eleven years.