Management and Removal of Foreign Bodies in the Emergency Department

Management of rectal foreign bodies presents unique challenges in the emergency department. Rectal foreign bodies may consist of various compositional materials and ergonomics which include but are not limited to vegetables, light bulbs, everyday household items, and body packing of illicit drugs. Patients presenting to the emergency department with rectal foreign bodies range widely in age from prepubertal patients to older adults. Insertion of rectal foreign bodies have been classified as voluntary or involuntary, as well as sexual or non-sexual. The definition of rectal foreign bodies can be blurry, as many objects inserted via the rectum are large enough to enter the sigmoid colon. Although detailed epidemiologic data are scant, recent studies reported a progressive rise in complications related to rectal foreign bodies with incidence disproportionately higher in men and an average age in the mid 40s.