Tongue cleaner, an unusual foreign body in the urethra: A case report

Abstract

Various cases of self-inflicted foreign body insertion into the urethra have been reported in adult males. The most common motive for such acts has been postulated as autoerotic stimulation, psychiatric illness or intoxication. A 40-year-old male presented with a partially inserted tongue cleaner in his urethra with one end projecting from the urethral meatus and with a history of bleeding and pain. After a gentle attempt of removal using local anaesthetic gel the patient was scheduled for its surgical removal under anaesthesia. Large complex foreign bodies may be not amenable to endoscopic removal and may warrant open surgical procedure. Urethral stricture should be suspected in such patients. A psychiatric visit should be recommended for all adult males with self-inflicted foreign body in the urethra.