Rectum Foreign Body Removal

Rectal foreign bodies (RFB) are not new to medical literature. One of the earliest examples of rectal foreign bodies (RFBs) ever reported dates back to the 16 century. RFBs cases are no longer a rare presentation in emergency departments, and their incidence is rising, specifically in urban populations. The average age of presentation is 44 years, and there are more commonly seen in men. Although there are various objects inserted in the rectum, the most common among them are glass bottles (42.2%). There are many reasons for rectal foreign body insertion including, sexual gratification, concealment, as may be the case in body packers, sexual assault, and, rarely, accidental causes, but the most common purpose is autoeroticism due to the increasing use of a different object for anal sex. The time of presentation varies; some people consult emergency services immediately because of their inability to remove the object. At the same time, other patients might take up to two weeks before the presentation due to embarrassment. Even on arrival, such patients often try to conceal the true nature of their presentation to the emergency department. Different techniques have been developed to remove a foreign body from the rectum. The methodology of removal has evolved with technological advancements, including laparoscopy, endoscopy, and minimally invasive surgical alternatives. A review of these procedures, their indications, and complications, along with their clinical significance, will be discussed in this article.