Surgical Sponge Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (PU Sponge and PVA Sponge), By Application (Hemostasis and Close Wound), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2025 To 2034

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SURGICAL SPONGE MARKET OVERVIEW

The global surgical sponge market size is estimated at USD 2.71 billion in 2025 and expected to rise to USD 4.52 billion by 2034, experiencing a CAGR of 5.86% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Surgical Sponge market size is projected at USD 0.93 billion in 2025, the Europe Surgical Sponge market size is projected at USD 0.85 billion in 2025, and the China Surgical Sponge market size is projected at USD 0.58 billion in 2025.

Surgical sponges left behind after surgery have negatively affected patients' health, including infection, need for more surgery, extended hospital stays, readmission, bowel and fistula obstructions, and occasionally even death. Manual counting at various points before, during, and after a surgical procedure is a critical component of the national standard for preventing retained surgical sponges. 

Cycles of actions are conducted to alter the count if a sponge is absent. These measures take more time and divert workers from competing tasks. An intraoperative radiograph is frequently utilized to rule out the retention of a surgical sponge if the manual count proves to be inaccurate during the patient's postoperative procedures. The X-Rays cost and length add to the operation's length. The market can be segregated into PU and PVA sponges. These sponges have been used to close wounds and hemostasis. The rising incidence of retained surgical items inside the human body post-surgery is forecasted to surge the demand for surgical sponges in the future.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Lack of Workforce Affected the Rate of Market Expansion

In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed COVID-19 a global health emergency. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, governments are finding it difficult to implement fiscal policies and financial plans to sustain economic growth and support established markets. Healthcare spending has increased dramatically in all afflicted nations, with the majority of resources going toward combating the COVID-19 epidemic. This has significantly impacted the medical equipment sector. Research and development efforts and commercial manufacture of sponge detection systems substantially declined worldwide due to lockdowns and a lack of labor. There has been a lack of patients for emergency procedures as hospitals and clinics concentrate more on treating COVID-19-infected patients.

LATEST TRENDS

Rising Number of Surgeries Due To the Rising Prevention Rate for Chronic Diseases to Foster Growth

The surgical sponge market growth is expected to be driven by the rise in the number of surgeries globally. Surgery sponge usage has also increased due to the rising number of cesarean procedures performed in hospitals and medical facilities. The frequency of abdominal illnesses is rising, and the number of people over 65 is increasing. Additionally, there has been a sharp increase in the prevalence of disorders like colon cancer, hernias, appendicitis, peptic ulcers, and pancreatitis among the general population, creating a rising demand for surgeries. A prominent aspect anticipated to fuel market growth is the rising prevalence of chronic diseases due to changing lifestyles. These factors are estimated to increase the market growth.

• According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), over 78% of hospitals across the U.S. adopted radiopaque surgical sponges by 2023 to improve intraoperative safety. These sponges reduce retention error risks by over 65%, improving post-surgical outcomes.

• Based on data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), approximately 62,000 hospitals in the EU reported a 31% increase in the use of disposable surgical sponges in 2023 to curb infection rates during invasive procedures.

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SURGICAL SPONGE MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

By type, the market is segmented into PU sponge and PVA sponge.

By Application

Based on application, the market is classified into hemostasis and close wound.

DRIVING FACTORS

Technological Advancements to Boost the Product Demand

Key manufacturers are anticipated to create technologically cutting-edge unique items such as radio-frequency identification sponges and high growth potential in the untapped emerging nations, which are predicted to present attractive growth possibilities for the market. The advent of pads coupled with heat-bonded with enhanced X-ray visibility and barium sulfate markers, among other advancements in laparotomy sponges, also represent a factor affecting the market's expansion. Laparotomy sponges can mistakenly become lodged in the body during procedures. Thus, manufacturers have created easily identifiable, barcode-tagged sponges to help prevent this from happening. These factors are forecasted to propel the surgical sponge market growth.

Escalating Number of Cesarean Section Deliveries to Develop Growth Opportunities

The prevalence of cesarean sections has dramatically increased globally as a result of reasons like changes in maternal features, demands from the economy, society, and workplace, as well as negligence by medical professionals. The intermediate global rate of cesarean section deliveries, which has increased in the past few years and in most developed countries, witnessed a hike. The sub-regions of Latin America and the Caribbean had the highest rates. It is anticipated that this will increase the demand for laparotomy sponges.

• According to World Health Organization (WHO) surgical safety estimates, there were over 312 million surgeries performed worldwide in 2023, with surgical sponge consumption averaging 9 to 15 sponges per procedure, resulting in annual use exceeding 3.2 billion units.

• As per the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under its public healthcare modernization initiative, over 760 government hospitals upgraded to sterile, single-use surgical sponge systems by mid-2023, with a 22% reduction in cross-contamination incidents reported.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Availability of Various Alternatives to Restrain Market Growth

The availability of alternative procedures and the increased expense of surgery due to retained surgical items are significant barriers to surgical sponge market expansion. Sponge detection systems are only occasionally used in developing nations due to the availability of alternatives such as manual recounting, X-ray examination, intraoperative radiography, computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and mammography. Misperceptions about the harmful consequences of radiofrequency transmissions are another thing slowing down the market's expansion. Surgical sponges inside the body can be discovered using radiofrequency (RF) signals.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recorded 1,478 retained surgical item cases in 2022, with sponges accounting for 68% of those events. These complications led to extended hospital stays averaging 7.3 additional days, increasing operational risks and litigation.

• According to hospital procurement committees, RFID-tagged sponges cost nearly 4 to 6 times more than conventional cotton-based types, limiting their widespread use among 47% of mid-size hospitals in Asia-Pacific and Latin America due to budget constraints.

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SURGICAL SPONGE MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Lead the Market Due to the Rising Number of Surgeries in the Region

North America is predicted to hold a leading part of the surgical sponge market share, accredited to the region's high number of surgery procedures. The rise in disposable income is leading to a higher number of surgeries in the region. 

Asia Pacific to show significant growth in the global market owing to the rising geriatric population in the region. 

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focusing On Innovative Technology Development to Grow in the Market

Businesses are working on developing new technology to offer more easy ways to increase product portfolio. Companies also use innovative practices and techniques to create new technologies. Companies are focused on acquisitions and investments to increase sales. The marketplace is competitive as a result of the existence of numerous huge firms. An extensive worldwide consumer base and the execution of operations through specialized distribution networks are other characteristics. The key companies strive to gain a higher market share by launching new products.

• BD Medical: As per logistics and supply data from national healthcare systems, BD Medical distributed over 450 million surgical sponges globally in 2023, with radiopaque variants comprising 58% of total sales. Their sterile sponge kits are now used in over 12,000 hospitals across 40+ countries.

• Cardinal Health: Procurement data shows Cardinal Health supplied 620 million surgical sponges to North American and European facilities in 2023. 32% of their sponge portfolio is integrated with RFID or barcode tracking systems, helping reduce retention risks and enhancing surgical traceability.

List of Top Surgical Sponge Companies

• BD Medical
• Cardinal Health
• Guangda textile
• Jiangsu Yongtai Datang Medical Material
• Medtronic
• Frank Healthcare
• Matoshri Surgical
• Wuhan Jianeryou Health Products
• B. Braun Melsungen
• Derma Sciences
• Medline

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research study offers thorough information on numerous market aspects. The growth drivers, restraints, geographical analysis, competitive environment, and challenges are a few of them. Additionally, it provides an analytical analysis of market trends and projections for stem cells to show potential investment areas. From 2021 through 2031, the market is objectively assessed to determine its financial viability. The report's data was compiled using a variety of primary and secondary sources.