Successful Transanal Removal of a Rectal Foreign Body by Abdominal Compression under Endoscopic and X-Ray Fluoroscopic Observation: A Case Report Open Access

Rectal foreign bodies can present a difficult management dilemma, because the types encountered vary widely and they can cause not only local trauma to surrounding tissues but also obstruction or perforation that requires surgical treatment. For effective removal, it is important to precisely determine the size, shape, and material of the foreign body by patient interview and imaging diagnosis, and then to evaluate the possibility of rectal perforation and peritonitis [1, 2]. In cases without perforation, transanal removal of a rectal foreign body is generally attempted as a first-line procedure in the emergency unit, with a reported success rate of approximately 75% [3]. However, when the size is too large to grasp, transanal removal is difficult.

We here report a patient with a large rectal foreign body that was successfully removed with manual compression from the abdominal wall, with assistance provided by endoscopic and X-ray fluoroscopic observation.

A 50-year-old male came to the emergency room of our hospital and stated that a hand-made silicon rod had accidentally passed into his rectum 12 h prior to presentation. He could not remove it on his own. His vital signs were stable, and a physical examination showed that his abdomen was soft and without tenderness. There was a palpable elastic, hard mass in the lower abdomen and no signs of peritonitis. A digital rectal examination by palpation located the end of the foreign body in the deep rectum. An attempt to manually remove it in a transanal manner failed due to its shape, large size, and deep position. Laboratory data were essentially normal, with the exception of slightly elevated C-reactive protein (1.76 mg/dL). Plain abdominal X-ray imaging showed a foreign body in the pelvic area and absence of free air (Fig 1a), while computed tomography (CT) revealed an 18 × 4 cm foreign body with a cylindrical shape in the rectum (Fig 1b–d). No severe complications, such as perforation or obstruction, were seen. We decided to attempt removal in a transanal manner under endoscopic and X-ray fluoroscopic observation.

Following intravenous administration of 15 mg of pentazocine, a scope (PCF-Q260AZI; Olympus, Japan) was inserted transanally with the patient in a left lateral decubitus position to directly visualize the foreign body. The lateral pelvic view obtained by X-ray fluoroscopy showed the foreign body in the rectosigmoid position. We attempted removal with endoscopic instruments, including a snare, biopsy forceps, grasping forceps, and net, though that failed because of the round shape and large diameter. When manually compressed from the abdominal wall under endoscopic and X-ray fluoroscopic observation, we noticed that the axis of the foreign body changed (Fig 2). Thus, we were able to guide it using manual abdominal compression with endoscopic and X-ray fluoroscopic assistance. Once the object moved to the lower rectum, it could be removed transanally by manual extraction. After removal, we found that the foreign body was constructed of a silicon material and made by the patient himself, with a size of 18 × 4 cm (Fig 3). Sigmoidoscopy following extraction showed mild erosion in the rectal mucosa with no findings of bleeding or perforation. The patient was released without hospitalization or surgery.

Patients with rectal foreign bodies are occasionally encountered in the emergency room. Although not as common as upper gastrointestinal foreign bodies, the incidence has been suggested to be increasing, especially in urban areas [3, 4]. In a review of 196 cases of rectal foreign bodies in 193 patients, it was reported that the mean age at presentation was 44.1 years (range 19–79) with a significantly higher proportion of males (ratio approx. 37: 1) [4]. Numerous types of objects have been described in the literature, with the most common being household objects (42.2%), such as a bottle or glasses, while others include sex toys, personal care, sports equipment, and food [5]. The majority of rectal foreign bodies reported in adults have been purposefully inserted for self-gratification. As they are likely to be smooth, round, cylindrical, or egg shaped for easy insertion [6], it is difficult to grasp and remove them in a transanal manner using standard endoscopic devices.

Because of the wide variety of objects and variation in trauma to local tissues of the rectum and distal colon, a systematic approach to the diagnosis and management of rectal foreign bodies is needed [1, 2]. A physical examination and radiological imaging, such as plain X-ray and CT, are important to evaluate the general condition of the patient and to determine a treatment plan [7]. In particular, CT can provide a great deal of information, such as the properties (shape, size) and precise location of the object, as well as the presence of perforation or obstruction. If a clinical or radiological examination shows signs of peritonitis or perforation, surgical procedures such as a laparotomy should immediately be considered [2]. In cases without severe complications, transanal removal is generally attempted in the emergency unit [3]. However, no specific criteria or guidelines have been established regarding an effective strategy for transanal removal of a rectal foreign body. The factors that determine whether a rectal foreign body can be removed transanally are the shape, size, and location of the object [2, 3].

To date, various methods for transanal removal of foreign bodies have been reported. Most objects can be safely removed during an endoscopy procedure with the assistance of endoscopic devices such as a snare or forceps [8], while Kocher clamps, suction devices, and various grasping forceps, though designed for other purposes, have been effective [9, 10]. However, when foreign bodies are too large to be removed by those, other methods, including surgery, are required. In the present case, the object was located in the rectosigmoid area and considered to be removable, though its axial orientation made removal difficult. We attempted that by using various endoscopic instruments, but failed because the object had smooth sides and a large size. Finally, we were able to use abdominal manual compression to guide the proximal end of the object under X-ray fluoroscopic observation and the distal side under endoscopic observation, and successfully removed it transanally without complications.

Endoscopic assistance for removal of a rectal foreign body helps to avoid iatrogenic injury [9]. In addition, gentle air insufflation performed during an endoscopy procedure can make it easier to move the object to the anal side by raising intraluminal pressure on the oral side of the foreign body, which may facilitate transanal removal. Air insufflation is also useful to distend the collapsed distal bowel lumen and allow clear visualization of the foreign body. Therefore, endoscopic assistance should be considered as a first step during management for rectal foreign bodies in cases without perforation.

In conclusion, we report the successful transanal removal of a large-sized rectal foreign body. In cases without perforation, a minimally invasive endoscopic technique via a transanal approach should be considered as a first-line procedure. For transanal removal of the present, large-sized object, we found that endoscopic and X-ray fluoroscopic assistance were helpful to guide the direction and angle of abdominal compression.

The authors have no ethical conflicts to disclose.

There are no potential conflicts of interest to disclose in association with this study.