Surgical tool left inside woman's abdomen after C-section goes undetected for 18 months

A large surgical tool was left inside a woman's abdomen after a C-section in New Zealand.
The woman experienced chronic pain for 18 months before the tool was discovered via CT scan.
The health board breached care standards and the case may face further action.
This is the second incident in recent years of objects being left inside patients at Auckland hospitals.
The health board apologized and is reviewing policies to prevent similar events.