What is Rectal Foreign Body Removal

Rectal foreign body removal is a procedure to remove an object (foreign body) that is stuck in the end of the large intestine (rectum). During this procedure, your health care provider will use instruments to find and remove the object through the anus.

Depending on the size and location of the object, you may need to have medicine to numb the area or make you fall asleep (anesthetic), or you may need surgery so it can be removed.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Rectal damage or tearing (perforation).
• Damage to other structures or organs.

What happens before the procedure?

• Your health care provider may ask you to describe the size and shape of the object inside your rectum.
• Your health care provider may feel inside your rectum with a finger (digital rectal exam).
• You may have X-rays or other imaging tests.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your rectal area will be washed with soap.
• You may be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
  • A medicine that is injected into an area of your body to numb everything below the injection site (regional anesthetic).
• A lubricating ointment may be placed inside your rectum.
• If the foreign body is not visible, an instrument to widen your anal canal (speculum) may be used.
• An instrument will be used to grasp and remove the object. You may be asked to try to help push the object out with your muscles.
• If the object is deep in the rectum, an operating scope (anoscope or proctoscope) may be used to find and remove the object.
• After the object is removed, an anoscope or proctoscope may be used to check your rectum for damage.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Rectal Foreign Body Removal, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Mild pain, especially when having a bowel movement.
• Some blood or fluid draining from the rectum.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Check your rectal area every day for signs of infection. Check for:

• Redness, swelling, or more pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicines.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a medicine to help you relax (sedative) during your procedure.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have chills or a fever.
• You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your rectal area.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your rectal area.
• You have pain in your rectum or abdomen.
• You become constipated. Symptoms of constipation may include:
  • Having fewer than three bowel movements a week.
  • Straining to have a bowel movement.
  • Having stools that are hard, dry, or larger than normal.
  • Feeling full or bloated.
  • Pain in the lower abdomen.
  • Not feeling relief after having a bowel movement.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain in your:
  • Abdomen.
  • Rectum.
• You develop new bleeding from your rectum.