Prevention Of Unintentionally Retained Foreign Bodies During Interventional Radiology Procedures

Publication Date: November 1, 2011
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Sponges smaller than a standard 10-cm × 10-cm sponge (ie, a 4 × 4) should not be used for packing of wounds or incisions. The 4 × 4 sponges should not be cut into smaller pieces for packing of wounds or incisions.
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Whenever sponges have been used in an incision or cavity, thorough visual and tactile inspections should be performed after sponge removal and again before the incision is closed.
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If the incision or cavity does not permit a thorough visual and tactile inspection because of its size or shape, only sponges with radiopaque markers should be used for packing, and either fluoroscopy should be performed at the conclusion of the procedure to exclude a retained sponge or a sponge count should be performed at the conclusion of the procedure.
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If there is any concern of possible retention of a needle or instrument, fluoroscopy should be performed at the conclusion of the procedure unless the additional radiation for fluoroscopy is of greater concern.
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Prevention Of Unintentionally Retained Foreign Bodies During Interventional Radiology Procedures

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

November 1, 2011

Last Updated Month/Year

January 8, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

There is anecdotal evidence that retained sponges have occurred during interventional radiology procedures. Therefore, the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) recommends specific steps that should be taken to avoid unintentionally retained foreign bodies during interventional radiology procedures.

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Hospital, Operating and recovery room, Radiology services

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Prevention

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D005547 - Foreign Bodies

Keywords

foreign body, retained foreign body

Source Citation

Statler JD, Miller DL, Dixon RG, Kuo MD, Cohen AM, Duncan JR, et al. Society of interventional radiology position statement: Prevention of unintentionally retained foreign bodies during interventional radiology procedures. J Vasc Interv Radiol [Internet