Impaction of a foreign body in the rectum by improper use of a (electronic) massager: a case report

A male, 67 years old, visited the emergency room because of a foreign body impacted in his rectum. While he was being treated for grade-II hemorrhoids conservatively, he heard that massage of the peri-anal area could be helpful for preventing hemorrhoids. Thus, while using an electronic massager after placing the head of the machine into a short round bar, the head became separated from the machine, and this was inserted into the anus and impacted. The patient had anal discomfort without abdominal pain. His vital signs were stable, and no abnormal physical findings were found for the abdomen. On digital rectal examination, the rim of the foreign body was palpated about 8 cm from the anal verge. Anal bleeding, abnormal discharge, or foul odor was not found. On a simple abdominal X-ray, a radio-opaque foreign body was observed in the pelvic cavity, and mild leukocytosis was noted on the laboratory test. To avoid injury to the anal sphincter, we tried to remove the foreign body under the spinal anesthesia. After anesthesia had been administered, the foreign body was palpated more distally at 5-6 cm from the anal verge by digital examination, and the foreign body was found to have a hole in its center. This was held using a Kelly clamp, and with digital guiding, was removed through the anus. After removal, an anoscopic examination was performed to determine if mucosal injury had occurred in the rectum or anal canal. The patient was discharged without complication after 24 hours of close observation.