Rectal foreign body causing perforation: Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Clinicians must maintain an index of suspicion to diagnose an anorectal foreign body (FB). The patient may not be forthcoming with information secondary to embarrassment or possibly psychiatric issues. Providers must express empathy and compassion while maintaining nonjudgmental composure. Despite accounts of anal FB insertion, this pathology is lacking level one evidence-based surgical algorithms. CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old male psychiatric patient presented in septic shock, complaining of lower abdominal/pelvic pain starting 1 week prior. His past medical history was significant for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and noncompliance with medications. CT of the abdomen/pelvis revealed a rectal perforation with free air and a FB which appeared to be a screwdriver. Fluid resuscitation and broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered. In the operating room, after unsuccessful transrectal removal, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. The metallic end of the screwdriver had perforated the rectosigmoid. Resection of the perforated rectum with removal of the screwdriver, incision and drainage of a large right buttock abscess and colostomy was performed. The patient recovered and was discharged to behavioral health. At 2 weeks follow-up the patient was doing well with a functioning colostomy and reversal was planned for later this year. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion when encountering psychiatric patients with nonspecific lower abdominal or anorectal pain with inconsistent presentations. Controversy exists regarding the type of surgical treatment in case of anorectal perforation. More research is needed to provide surgeons with evidence-based standardized methods for dealing with these rare pathologies.