Rectal lacerations and perforations are less common. No data on frequency of rectal foreign bodies has been collected. The literature 30 years ago reflected rare occurrences of rectal foreign bodies but evolved to publication of case series and systematic methods of evaluation and extraction. The use of foreign bodies for anal eroticism is apparently increasing, resulting in increased numbers of patients with retained rectal foreign bodies. Mortality is rare and results from bleeding, rectal perforations or lacerations, or infectious complications.
Morbidity is somewhat more common and primarily a result of lacerations or perforations.
The typical patient has been described as 20-30 years old. In the case of ingested foreign bodies that become lodged in the rectum, the usual etiologic objects are sunflower seeds, toothpicks or bones and the ingestion is typically unknown. These normally present with diffuse abdominal pain, although signs of peritonitis or bowel obstruction may also exist. Patients may also present with complaints of rectal pain, pruritus or bleeding. These patients are typically too embarrassed to mention the foreign body at triage, but will normally admit to physician the actual etiology.