[Intrathoracic gossypiboma].

Gossypiboma is a rare surgical complication. It has an estimated incidence of 1/1000 to 1/10 000 surgeries. Although most cases occur in abdominal surgeries, they can also be found at the thoracic level. Diagnosis is difficult due to the insidious course of symptoms, and is based on high suspicion, chest images, and a history of previous surgery. Treatment is based on surgical removal of the retained material. We describe a patient with an intrathoracic gossypiboma secondary to performing decortication by open thoracotomy.