SASpine

An 18 cm surgical clamp was left inside a patient’s abdomen for three months after a hysterectomy. She lived with relentless pain, vomiting, and the terrifying sensation that “something was trying to come out of me.” When surgeons finally operated, they found the instrument… and a section of necrotic bowel. This is not an abstract statistic. This is a real woman who needed four operations because a basic safety step failed. Dr. Steven Cyr, Spine Surgeon: Every time we close a patient—whether it’s a complex spine reconstruction or a straightforward abdominal case—we are responsible for counting every instrument, sponge, and needle. The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and disciplined instrument counts exist for one reason: to prevent exactly this. As spine surgeons we work in deep spaces with long instruments and multiple trays. Complacency has no place here. One missed clamp, one skipped count, one moment of distraction can turn a life-changing operation into a life-threatening complication. Patients trust us with their bodies. That trust demands absolute discipline. Never skip the count. Never assume “someone else checked.” Never close until every single item is accounted for. Stay sharp. Stay humble. Protect your patients. Source: The case was first widely reported by Brazilian outlet g1 (Globo) on July 28, 2026, based on an interview with the patient, Érica Cristina Bannai Von Hoonholtz. #SurgicalSafety #RetainedForeignBody #SpineSurgery #PatientSafety #SurgicalChecklist