Patients in Lancashire hospitals have had a number of items left inside them after surgery, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
The Lancashire Evening Post report:
A piece of a drill, part of a tap, a piece of a blade and gold pins are among the items left inside people who had surgery at hospitals in Central Lancashire in the past four years.
Figures released in a Freedom of Information request show that, between 2009-10 and 2012-13, 18 patients woke up from the operating table at the Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble District General with surgical items left behind.
The highest number was in 2011-12 when six items were left inside patients following a procedure, and the lowest in 2012-13 when three surgical items were left.