Blundering doctors left a surgical glove inside a woman after an operation.
Sharon Birks spotted the garment when she went to the toilet after undergoing a hysterectomy.
She told the Derby Telegraph: "I just had this really bad stomach ache and it almost felt like something was wedged in my stomach."
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A hospital trust has apologised after a surgical glove was left inside a patient following an operation.
Birks had the hysterectomy at the Royal Derby Hospital last month.
She felt unwell after the operation on November 19 and it was thought she might have an infection.
She was given a bladder scan to check for problems and prescribed antibiotics.
It was three days after the operation that the 42-year-old, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, discovered the error.
She had just had her catheter removed and gone to the toilet in the hospital when she found the glove.
Sue James, chief executive of Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has apologised to Mrs Birks and said an investigation has been launched into the incident.
James said: "We are extremely sorry for the distress that was caused to Mrs Birks. Clearly this should not have happened and we have launched a detailed investigation.
"A consultant and a senior nurse saw Mrs Birks and her husband whilst they were still at the hospital to apologise in person and to inform them that a full investigation would take place.
"I have also written to Mrs Birks to offer her sincere apologies for the distress and anxiety that such an unpleasant experience must have caused.
"A full investigation is now under way and when it has been completed, we will be sharing our findings with Mrs Birks.
"We take patient safety extremely seriously and at the conclusion of this investigation, we will want to ensure lessons are learnt."