Successful Transanal Removal of a Rectal Foreign Body: A Case Report

Rectal foreign body is not an uncommon presentation in the surgical emergency. Its incidence is increasing especially in the Asian urban population. Patients are embarrassed and reluctant to seek medical care thereby delaying management. They have a varied presentation and depending on the size, position of the foreign object and whether there is rectal perforation or not, different approaches may be chosen to remove it. The diagnosis may be confirmed by plain abdominal radiographs and rectal examination, CT scan should be advised without a second thought to rule out perforation. Transanal removal is only possible for very low - lying objects, while patients with high - lying foreign bodies usually require an operative intervention. An early decision of laparotomy should only be made after subjecting the patient to suitable investigations to determine exactly the localization of the object, in order to avoid any inadvertent damage to the adjoining vasculature as well as anal incontinence. Case Presentation: We report the case of a young adult male who presented in the emergency department with an alleged history of accidental insertion of a deodorant bottle per rectum. Transanal removal was successful under spinal anaesthesia. Conclusion: A careful history and physical examination with a high index suspicion of perforation is necessary. A creative approach to removal and appropriate short term follow - up to detect delayed perforation are important in a case of retained rectal foreign body.