Foreign bodies in the rectum: an analysis of 30 patients.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A foreign body in the rectum is a rare clinical entity. These foreign bodies can be classified under two major groups the ones that are inserted from the anus and the ones that are swallowed and thereafter become stuck in the rectum. METHODS: Data of patients admitted with a foreign body in the rectum between 1988 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 30 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The most common reason for a foreign body in the rectum was insertion for erotic purposes, which was seen in 19 of the 30 patients. All these patients were male. The remaining 11 patients reported nonerotic causes. The most efficient and implemented therapeutic method was simple extraction during the first examination. CONCLUSIONS: The most common reason for a foreign body in the rectum is insertion for erotic purposes. The first target of therapy should be extraction of the foreign body using the simplest method possible. Meanwhile, protecting the integrity of the intestine is of the utmost importance. The care for maintaining the integrity of the rectum should include an evaluation of the patient's psychological status.