This is a special disposible item used in different ways according to size. Smaller ones for swabbing oral or nasal cavities and larger ones used in abdominal surgery.
She underwent an emergency laparotomy. A trans-peritoneal approach was chosen.
... With the assistant ready with two swab-sticks, the aneurysm sac was
see ;www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859; year=2002;volume=48;issue=3;spage=203;epage=5;aulast=Rajmohan

and www.obstetricanesthesia.com/pt/ re/oad/fulltext.00132582-200304000-00005