A Simple Technique to Remove a Large Object from the Rectum

suction created in the colon with attempted extraction.We report on two patients with large rectal foreign bodies that we were able to successfully and easily remove through a transanal approach by injecting air into the rectum and the sigmoid colon. Technique for removing a rubber ball A37-year-oldmanintroducedastringofthreerubberballs (diameter of 6 cm each) into his rectum a few hours before coming to the emergency room.When he pulled them out the string broke and one of the balls was retained in the rectum. He had no complaint of anorectal or abdominal pain. Abdominal films confirmed a round ball in the low rectum. There was no evidence of extraluminal air. The objectcouldbeeasilyfeltjustabuttingtheupperanalcanal. The patient was taken to the operating room. He was placed in the lithotomy position under general anesthesia. With gentle and gradual dilatation of the anal canal, the surgeon’s hand could be introduced into the rectum. The entireballcouldbegraspedwithfingers.Anattempttopull out the ball was met with a strong counter suction force. A #18 Foley catheter was inserted into the rectum. The ball could not be extracted until 60 mL of air was injected into