What is a potential risk of retained surgical items during a procedure?

Retained surgical items pose a significant risk to patients, leading to serious complications. These items can include sponges, instruments, or other materials unintentionally left inside the body after surgery. The presence of a retained item can cause a variety of severe health issues, such as infection, inflammatory responses, internal bleeding, or damage to surrounding organs. In some cases, these complications may necessitate additional surgical procedures to remove the retained item, prolonging the patient's overall recovery time and increasing healthcare costs. Recognizing the serious consequences associated with retained surgical items is crucial in surgical safety protocols to ensure patient well-being.