Retained surgical items (RSIs) are an extreme and obvious example of a medical negligence. Medicolegally, these cases are described by the doctrine of "res ipsa loquitur" which is Latin for "the thing speaks for itself." This means that a breach in duty or care can be inferred directly from the very nature of the event without knowing the circumstances, intent, or actions of the defendant. Unintentionally leaving a surgical instrument or item within a patient is simply "no defense to surgeon".

Take home message 

• RSI is a profound surgical negligence.
• RSI increase post-operative mortality and morbidity.
• count and recount your surgical instruments before and after application its the "simplest" technique to avoid RSI incidences.
• there is no harm in taking a post operative portable x ray.