Retained sex toys: an increasing and possibly preventable medical condition

Abstract

Purpose Retained foreign rectal objects may require surgical removal. To estimate the magnitude of this problem, we report the incidence and treatment of retained rectal objects at a large emergency hospital, and calculate incidence rates at the national level in Sweden. Methods All local patient records during 2009-2017 with the diagnosis foreign body in anus and rectum (ICD-10 T185) were accessed and analyzed retrospectively. All Swedish in-and outpatient visits during 2005-2016 with the code T185 were accessed from the National Patient Register. Results We show an increasing incidence in rectal foreign bodies in Swedish national data. The increase was most noticeable in men, and in our local register there was an overrepresentation of sex toys leading to laparotomy and stoma. Conclusions To mitigate surgical cost and comorbidity, policies to decrease the risk of retained sex toys could be considered.

Repeat presentation of large rectal foreign body requiring surgical intervention

“…Reports of medically concerning rectal foreign bodies date back to the 16th century [1]. While relatively uncommon, the number of patients presenting to emergent care with irretrievable rectal foreign bodies appears to be increasing [2]. Though smaller, ingested objects can occasionally become lodged in the rectum, large objects are almost always inserted trans-anally.…”

“…Rarely, large objects can be introduced for diagnostic/therapeutic purposes, or for criminal reasons such as assault or concealing illicit drugs. However, far more often, these objects are introduced trans-anally for sexual purposes [2, 3]. In fact, these account for over 75% of cases, and disproportionately affects men [2, 4].…”

Male Sexual Assault – A Case Report of Foreign Body in the Rectum from Sexual Assault by Female Partner

“…[4] In recent years RFB has becoming more frequent from sexual abuse or gratification from sex toys. [6] Sexual eroticism is a common cause of rectal foreign body usually by self or homosexual partner. [3] [5] Many patients present late and are usually not willing to disclose the truth about what led to the insertion.…”

Silicone cast of the colon: management of an unusual colorectal foreign body

“…1 Recent reports have suggested an increasing incidence of presentations of such cases to emergency departments. 2 Males are significantly more likely to be involved than females (ratios as high as 37:1), with a mean age at presentation of 44 years. 3,4 Foreign bodies can be ingested orally or inserted transanally for various voluntary (anal eroticism, concealment of drugs and alleviating faecal impaction) and involuntary (assault) reasons, with the most common voluntary reason being as part of sexual practices.…”

“…Almost all secondary AEF occur after open AAA repair but cases following EVAR are reported. [1][2][3][4][5][6] We present our experience with this rare complication, which is unique because it was only identified at time of operation. An 85-year-old female with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia on ibrutinib and atrial fibrillation on rivaroxaban was referred to a vascular surgeon with a 38 × 30 mm incidental saccular infrarenal aortic aneurysm.…”