Cases of retained surgical guaze are rarely reported because of medico-legal and professional implications. Retained gauze for a period of more than 10 years is even rarer. A case of retained surgical gauze for 11 years, an accidental finding from a plain radiograph of a patient who had sustained proximal femoral fracture, is reported. A review of other reported cases is presented.
Malignant pelvic tumours often present late, hence a high index of suspicion should be maintain in order to arrive at the diagnosis. This is particularly true for those who have unusual symptoms. A proper planning and staging strategies is required to save the limb, and the limb salvage surgery is at present the surgery of choice to achieve local control and restoring optimum functions of the lower limbs as being illustrated by our three cases.