Rectal "oven mitt": the importance of considering a serious underlying injury

J E Losanoff1, K T Kjossev

  • 1Department of Emergency Surgery, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Insights

A rectal "oven mitt" was removed, but a wooden stick used for insertion caused an extraperitoneal rectal perforation. This case highlights that introducer objects, not the primary foreign body, can cause severe rectal injuries.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Medical Case Reports

Background:

  • Foreign body insertion into the rectum is a known cause of injury.
  • Objects are typically removed without significant complications.
  • The use of introducer objects for rectal foreign bodies is uncommon.

Observation:

  • A 20-year-old male presented with a rectal foreign body, described as an "oven mitt."
  • The object was successfully removed transanally.
  • Initial rigid proctosigmoidoscopy did not reveal any signs of perforation.

Findings:

  • A contrast enema using meglumine diatrizoate identified an extraperitoneal rectal perforation.
  • The perforation was likely caused by a wooden stick used to forcefully insert the "oven mitt."
  • This suggests the introducer, not the primary foreign object, was the cause of injury.

Implications:

  • Rectal perforation can occur from objects used to introduce foreign bodies, not just the foreign body itself.
  • Diagnostic imaging like contrast enema is crucial for detecting rectal injuries not apparent on initial endoscopy.
  • Clinicians should consider the potential for iatrogenic injury from insertion tools in cases of rectal foreign bodies.

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