Retained sponges in abdomen: an analysis of the judgments of the Italian Supreme Court.

The administration of justice in Italy includes first, second and third instance. The first and second instances are represented by the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal: these are judgment of Romamerit. The court of last appeal for both the civil and the criminal jurisdiction is the Court of Cassation, the Italian Supreme Court. It is a court of legitimacy that should provide for a consistent and uniform interpretation of the law and that only on points of law, not on factual evidence. The Court of Cassation can confirm the sentence of second instance, can dismiss it without referral, can deciding and closing the trial definitively, or dismiss it referring the case to the judge of merit that must decide according to the principles set out in the legitimacy. The aim of this study is to analyze the Supreme Cassation Court's judgments on the legal proceedings about retained sponges in abdomen.