Last year a surgical team at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago left a sponge in a patient who underwent gastrointestinal surgery to treat diverticulitis. Nearly 7 weeks later — and 10 days after a CT scan — the blue sponge was found, according to a Chicago radio report.

The patient, Madelyn E. Larke, is suing general surgeon John L. Butsch, MD, and Rush University Medical Center for more than $50,000 in Cook County Circuit Court, according to WBBN radio. Ms. Larke claims that Dr. Butsch left a sponge in her abdomen during surgery on June 24, 2008. The suit claims that Dr. Butsch then didn???t remove the sponge in time to avoid injury, according to the news report.

Nearly a month after surgery, Ms. Larke complained of constipation and lower abdominal pain to Dr. Butsch, who ordered a CT scan performed on July 21. Apparently, the sponge was mistakenly interpreted to be an abscess. Ms. Larke continued to be constipated and in pain. On Aug. 1 she was admitted to Rush for diagnostic surgery. The sponge was found during the second operation.

The 3-count civil suit also claims loss of consortium for Ms. Larke???s husband.

—Kent Steinriede