Yes, it is entirely feasible for a patient to survive for approximately 9 months after a surgical mop (a type of retained surgical sponge or gauze) is accidentally left in the abdomen during an operation in January 2025, only to succumb to related complications by October 2025. This scenario aligns with well-documented medical cases of gossypiboma (the term for a retained surgical sponge, derived from Latin for “cotton” and Swahili for “place of concealment”), a rare but preventable surgical error.

Why This Timeline Is Realistic

• Variable Presentation and Survival Duration: Gossypibomas can remain asymptomatic or cause only vague symptoms (e.g., mild abdominal discomfort or low-grade fever) for weeks, months, or even years after surgery. Symptoms often arise later due to delayed complications like abscess formation, bowel obstruction, fistula development, peritonitis, or sepsis. In one large review of 54 cases, the average time to discovery was 6.9 years (median 2.2 years), with some cases going undetected for over two decades. Shorter intervals, including several months, are common, especially if the initial reaction is a slower aseptic (non-infectious) fibrous encapsulation rather than an immediate exudative (inflammatory) abscess.
• Potential for Delayed Death: While many patients undergo successful surgical removal once diagnosed (often via CT scan showing characteristic “spongiform” patterns with air bubbles or a whorled appearance), untreated or undiagnosed gossypibomas can progress to life-threatening issues. Mortality rates in reported series range from 13-25%, often from sepsis, intestinal perforation, or multi-organ failure. For instance:
• In a Togolese study of 15 abdominal gossypiboma cases, 2 patients (13%) died, with some surviving months post-surgery before fatal complications like obstruction or infection.
• Another series of 4 cases reported 1 death (25%) from sepsis after duodenal fistula formation, with the mop retained for months.
• A U.S. analysis of 319 retained sponge events noted at least 1 direct death from a laparotomy sponge in an urgent abdominal surgery, where survival extended beyond the immediate postoperative period.
• Risk Factors Matching This Scenario: Abdominal surgeries (e.g., laparotomy) have the highest gossypiboma incidence (up to 1 in 1,000-1,500 cases), particularly in emergencies, obese patients, or those with high blood loss—factors that could plausibly occur in January 2025. Without early detection (e.g., via sponge counts or X-ray markers), the mop could migrate, erode into bowel tissue, or foster bacterial growth, leading to acute decompensation around 9 months later.

Prevention and Diagnosis

This error is largely avoidable with protocols like the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, methodical sponge counts, and radiofrequency detection technology. If suspected (e.g., unexplained abdominal pain post-surgery), imaging like CT is key for confirmation, followed by prompt laparoscopic or open removal to avert fatality.

In summary, a 9-month survival leading to death is not only feasible but corroborated by clinical literature—far from the immediate postoperative period but well within the spectrum of delayed presentations. If this describes a specific case, consulting medical records or imaging would provide more tailored insights.