PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1927726
PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1927726
The Surgical Sponges Market size was valued at US$ 810.01 Million in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 8.04% from 2025 to 2032.
The Surgical Sponges Market comprises sterile, highly absorbent medical supplies used during surgical procedures to absorb blood and fluids, maintain a clear operative field, and protect tissues. The rising volume of surgical procedures worldwide, combined with ageing populations and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, is driving the market's growth. A key market trend is the growing use of radiopaque, antimicrobial, and hemostatic sponges, which improve patient safety and reduce postoperative complications. However, a major constraint remains the risk of retained surgical items, which raises medico-legal concerns and puts pressure on hospitals to implement stricter counting procedures. At the same time, the market offers significant opportunities through innovations such as RFID-enabled and smart surgical sponges, which improve traceability and operating room efficiency. Rising surgical demand, combined with technologically driven safety enhancements, is redefining the future of the surgical sponge market.
Surgical Sponges Market- Market Dynamics
Increasing Number of Surgical Procedures
The prevalence of chronic diseases, ageing populations, and demand for elective surgeries are all increasing globally, resulting in more surgeries performed each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 20 million new cancer cases were recorded in 2022, with a potential increase to 35 million by 2050. All of these factors increase the demand for surgical procedures. The increasing volume of complex and minimally invasive surgeries is driving up demand for high-quality, sterile surgical sponges. Furthermore, increased awareness of surgical safety and infection control has resulted in a greater emphasis on using dependable and efficient tools, such as surgical sponges, to enhance patient outcomes. As a result, the increasing number of surgeries and evolving healthcare practices drive demand for surgical sponges.
The worldwide market is segmented on the basis of Application, Type, End-Users Industry, and Region.
The cotton gauze sponges segment holds the most significant market type, due to their widespread application in surgical procedures for wound care, cleaning, and absorption. They are used extensively in healthcare facilities because they are low-cost great availability and can prevent surgical site ability to prevent surgical site infection. They are a required item in a number of medical uses and are the favoured choice for this reason, in addition to their sterilization compatibility. According to Ethicon Inc (Johnson and Johnson), the cotton gauze sponge is commonly used in leading hospitals such as Mayo Clinic (USA) and St. Thomas Hospital (UK) for hemostasis during surgeries.
Based on end-user industry segment, the hospital segment is an important option for ensuring safety because hospitals perform a large number of surgical procedures and require a high rate of surgical wound care and infection control. Hospital market leadership has been supported by the presence of an established health infrastructure, trained medical professionals, and increased patient admissions for surgical procedures.
In 2022, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recorded 1,478 cases of retained surgical items, with sponges accounting for 68% of those events. Complications increased hospital stays by an average of 7.3 days, raising operational risks and potential for litigation. According to hospital procurement committees, RFID-tagged sponges are nearly four to six times more expensive than traditional cotton-based sponges, limiting their use in 47% of mid-size hospitals in Asia-Pacific and Latin America due to budget constraints.
Surgical Sponges Market- Geographical Insights
North America is a major market for surgical sponges due to a high volume of surgical procedures, an aging population, and significant healthcare spending. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA), the United States has over 6,000 hospitals that perform more than 48 million surgeries annually, with outpatient procedures increasing by 300% over the last three decades. The growing geriatric population, which is expected to reach 73 million by 2030, undergoes surgery at 2.5 times the rate of younger groups, increasing demand for surgical supplies. As surgery volumes rise, high-quality, absorbent, and sterile surgical sponges become critical for patient safety and optimal surgical outcomes.
United States Surgical Sponges Market- Country Insights
The United States is a significant contributor to the surgical sponge market. Well-developed healthcare systems, including surgical centers and hospitals, drive up demand for surgical sponges. Growing surgical procedures and rising healthcare costs drive demand for surgical sponges. The development of surgical sponges is accelerated by increased awareness of surgical safety and favorable regulatory policies. The presence of key players such as Baxter and Johnson & Johnson drives overall market growth. Furthermore, healthcare investments and patient safety initiatives fuel market growth. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) predict that US healthcare spending will reach USD 4.3 trillion by 2023, with hospitals accounting for 31% of total spending. The Joint Commission identifies retained surgical objects, particularly sponges, as a major cause of sentinel events, and encourages hospitals to use RFID and barcode-enabled sponges. With implementation rates of these advanced sponges increasing by 45% in North American hospitals, the market is expanding as a result of technological advancements and stringent infection control protocols.
The Surgical Sponges Market competitive landscape is moderately consolidated, with global and regional players competing on product quality, absorption efficiency, safety features, and adherence to stringent healthcare standards. Key companies prioritize continuous innovation, expanding product portfolios, and strengthening distribution networks in hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and specialty clinics. Strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and R&D investments are all examples of competitive strategies for developing advanced sponges like radiopaque, antimicrobial, and hemostatic variants. Medtronic plc, 3M Company, B. Braun Melsungen AG, and Cardinal Health, Inc. are among the market's leading players, each with extensive surgical consumables offerings and significant global footprints. Other notable competitors, such as Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson) and ConMed Corporation, increase market intensity by catering to a variety of surgical disciplines, reinforcing the importance of safety, dependability, and regulatory compliance in surgical sponge solutions.
In December 2024, Medline Industries, a leading manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, announced that it has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. This move positions Medline for a significant public listing, which could value the company at up to $50 billion. Jim Boyle, the CEO of Medline, stated that "this strategic step aims to accelerate our growth trajectory and expand our capacity to serve healthcare providers worldwide."
In March 2025, MedTech Innovations has launched SafeCount, a new AI-driven surgical sponge tracking system designed to improve patient safety in operating rooms. The system combines RFID and computer vision technology to prevent surgical sponge retention, which is a leading cause of post-operative complications.