Rectal Foreign Bodies:A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background : Reported incidence of rectal foreign bodies is rather rare with only isolated published case reports or case series. Controlled studies of patients with rectal foreign bodies have not been conducted. The approach to the management of these patients has not changed in the last 10-20 years. Objective : The aim of this study was to describe 16 cases of colorectal foreign bodies introduced during sexual activity, gathered by the authors from 2002 to 2016, and to establish an epidemiological and therapeutic pattern. Material and methods : This was a retrospective study that involved retrieval of folders belonging to patients who were treated for foreign body of rectum. The patients demographic data along with type of object (Foreign body), time of presentation and type of treatment required were recorded from the case folders. Results : All the 16 patients in our series were male with a mean age of 42 years. Household bottles (37.8%) were the most common foreign body while a majority of patients presented between 24 to 48 hrs. Laparotomy was done in 8 cases (50%) out of which in 7 cases transanal extraction was done by milking while in 1 case colostomy was done. Manual extraction was successful in 25% while forceps were helpful in another 25%. Conclusions : The incidence of rectal foreign bodies is disproportionately higher in men. Manual extraction with or without the help of obstetric forceps appears to be the treatment modality of choice. The appropriate technique will depend on the size and surface of the retained object and the presence of complications.