Word of the Week: Gossypiboma

Complications from foreign matter left symposia gobsmacked

Nice work RK. That's very good.

Nurse (say) : "BP is 0, OMG! Somebody get a sponge"

A slight change, doctor clearly being a better anagrind than nurse.

Doctor (say): "BP is 0, OMG! Hmm. How many sponges did we use again?"

Biopsy: most disturbing lancet in Margaret's gut

paradigmatic recycling of 'gobsmacked' RK, congratulations!

Howdy, back in the saddle, and here to join the RK hosanna. It's a lovely dovetail of fodder and signpost, with a rattling surface sense.

Mind you, to see biopsy in a word about sloppy operations is a DC coup, too.

Survived all 6 Times from last week, including that smelly FLEETWOOD and some rhymester called COVENTRY PATMORE, allegedly. (No coincidence that my upcoming Wordplay column tackles Naticks.)

Upset obstetrician embroiled in scandalous gossip may cause complications after procedure (11)

Surgical gauze inhumin' causes violent biology spasm with loss of function.

(Tips on how to tweak the L omission better from BIOLOGY SPASM? I fumbled over a few 'loss of function in left side', 'a litre lost' 'loss...' and don't know how common a phrase 'L-function' is.)

When stuck, I sometimes look through the thread on Omission Possible to gain inspiration. 'lancet' was so inspired, even if not on the list.

My suggestion for L was 'lover', which adds an... interesting dimension to the clue.

As for l-functions, I have a maths degree but if I have ever studied them, they are long forgotten.

Just a slight rewrite to make it sound better.

Biopsy most disturbing: lancet found in Margaret's gut

Response to foreign object left in patient's body bag is "Oops - my bad!"

Nice one IC. That's really good.

@Nib, with L and R deletions, hand references are often good. in this case hand-out might tie in with a reference to sponge (to ask for a hand-out)?

"Oops Sig, maybe lose end of nose, messed up" said Fliess to Freud

A mob rising after gossipy malpractice has the problem stitched up.

"A mob uprising after gossipy mix-up in surgery has the problem stitched up." is what i would have said if I wasn't so hasty :)

This relies on a knowledge of all things Seinfeldian, and a liberal use of omissionism, but here goes...

So Pageboy Smith stupidly loses the junior mint, causing Seinfeldian complications.

Nasty, gossipy, smelly graduate is trouble when left behind.

Second grossest (yep) limb forms at spongy complication

After foreign article isn't removed, I spy mobs rioting in part of India

Pass, boy, I'm goal-lover -- when inside-left means trouble!

That's Listener standard, JPR: a dazzling clue, with a seamless football cover story.

Lovely stuff RK, IC, JPR. Some great ideas for a gnarly word.

Sticking with the anagram theme (and late to the party...)-

Stuffed with cotton wool under scant stitching, bosomy gap is enhanced

Botched op, so my bag is packed?!

Sorry, that should have been-

Stuffed with cotton wool hidden under scant stitching, bosomy gap is enhanced

For the record, gossypiboma relates more to surgical equipment [clamps, tools etc] being left behind after surgery.

While the overlooking of swabs or sponges etc, is TEXTILOMA [which sounds like a Tweet-fest on the 48 tram].

More here, including gross-out x-rays: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textiloma

Interesting, given that gossypium = cotton

Thankyou DA that is very much appreciated "JPR"

Just when you thought a word had slipped back into the twilight - A story from today's SMH:

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/woman-to-sue-after-sponge-left-in-her-body-20110731-1i6fv.html