Case Series: Removal of Rectal Foreign Bodies

Foreign rectal body is one of the less common presentations in the emergency department and has a variety of etiologies. Our aim is to study the mode of injury, clinical presentation, diagnosis, surgical intervention and outcomes associated with a rectal foreign body.

This cross-sectional case series was conducted from January 2019 to July 2019 in the surgical unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Pakistan. Mode of injury was classified as voluntary - for sexual gratification, involuntary ingestion, assault and fall. We also noted the presenting complaint, diagnosis, surgical intervention and outcome of the case.

Foreign body in the rectum was more common in men (86.3%) than women (13.7%). The mean age of participants was 40 ± 15 years. Various causes include sexual gratification (45.4%), involuntary ingestion (27.2%), assault (22.7%) and history of fall (4.5%). Participants were diagnosed with sub-acute intestinal obstruction (59%), peritonitis (22.7%) and perianal injury (36.3%).

Sexual gratification was the most common reason for the retained rectum body. Timely diagnosis and management are required to prevent perforation and improve prognosis.