Quote:Health - AP

Surgery Tools Left in 1,500 People a Year
Wed Jan 15, 5:09 PM ET Add Health - AP to My Yahoo!


By JEFF DONN, Associated Press Writer

BOSTON - Surgical teams accidentally leave clamps, sponges and other tools inside about 1,500 patients nationwide each year, according to the biggest study of the problem yet.



The mistakes largely result not from surgeon fatigue, but from the stress arising from emergencies or complications discovered on the operating table, the researchers reported.


It also happens more often to fat patients, simply because there is more room inside them to lose equipment, according to the study.