From the Guidelines
You should seek immediate emergency medical attention by calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room if you're experiencing a genuine medical emergency involving a foreign object in your rectum. According to the WSES guidelines for anorectal emergencies 1, a high index of suspicion is required to accurately diagnose this condition, as well as the utmost degree of professionalism. The initial evaluation should be based on the patient’s history and physical examination, and a digital rectal examination is a crucial part of the physical examination. However, this examination should be performed carefully and possibly after the acquisition of an abdomen X-ray, to prevent accidental injury to the surgeon from sharp objects 1. Some key points to consider in this scenario include:
- The variety of objects that can be retained in the rectum is vast, and the clinical presentation can vary depending on the object and the degree of damage to local tissues 1.
- Patients with suspected retained anorectal foreign body often delay hospital admission due to embarrassment, and may not initially refer to the retained object as the chief complaint 1.
- Common complaints include rectal or abdominal pain, constipation or obstipation, bright red blood per rectum, or incontinence 1.
- In patients with suspected retained anorectal foreign body and no signs of bowel perforation, routine laboratory tests are unnecessary, except in those cases requiring extraction under spinal or general anesthesia 1. It's essential to prioritize your safety and well-being by seeking medical attention immediately, as foreign objects in the rectum can cause serious complications, including perforation, bleeding, and infection. Medical professionals have the proper training and equipment to safely remove objects without causing further damage. Do not attempt to remove any foreign object yourself as this could worsen the injury.
From the Research
Medical Evaluation
- The situation described is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from a healthcare professional 2.
- A physical examination is a valuable tool in patient evaluation, and in this case, it would be crucial in assessing the situation and determining the best course of action 2.
Available Evidence
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that addresses the specific situation of a passenger airliner being stuck in the anus.
- However, the studies emphasize the importance of a thorough physical examination and history in diagnosing and managing medical conditions 2, 3.
Relevant Medical Principles
- The principle of evaluating patients with specific symptoms and performing a thorough physical examination can be applied to this situation 2.
- The study on chronic low back pain highlights the importance of identifying red flags that may indicate serious conditions, which could be relevant in this emergency situation 3.