• B S Ooi, Y H Ho, K W Eu, D Nyam, A Leong, and F Seow-Choen.
• Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
• Aust N Z J Surg. 1998 Dec 1;68(12):852-5.

BackgroundFew patients with anorectal foreign bodies will freely admit to transanal introduction. The results of long-term follow-up in these patients have been sparse.MethodsData from April 1989 to April 1997 were extracted from a prospective computerized database. The clinical features and the results of a departmental management protocol for anorectal foreign bodies were analysed. In addition, long-term outcomes were obtained by telephone interview.ResultsThirty patients (25 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 46 (range 16-72) years) were treated for this condition. While 10 patients (33.3%) admitted to transanal insertion, the remaining 20 (66.7%) complained of anal pain. Among the latter, the foreign body was subsequently found on routine digital rectal examination in nine patients (45%), on X-ray in nine (45%) and it was passed out unexpectedly after fleet enema in two (10%). Factors which raised suspicion for X-rays included atypical gender behaviour, lax anal sphincters and bloody or mucoid rectal discharge. Transanal recovery was successful with sedation in 12 (40%), general anaesthesia in 13 (43.3%), and laparotomy was needed in three (10%; which included one perforated bowel at presentation). There were two complications (6.7%; one minor rectal abrasion and one bronchopneumonia). There was no long-term faecal incontinence or re-impaction of foreign bodies at 63 (range 8-96) months of follow-up.ConclusionsForeign bodies should be suspected in patients with obscure anal pain. Judicious transanal extraction under sedation or general anaesthesia was usually successful with minimal short- and long-term complications.

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