Hospitals across England have removed thousands of "foreign objects" from patients' rectums since 2022, including vapes, Lego bricks, and TV remotes, according to data obtained by the Press Association.
The data was disclosed after more than 100 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests were sent to hospital trusts nationwide, asking for information on "rectal foreign bodies" treated in A&E and Urgent Care departments.
Objects removed in South London and Birmingham
Medical staff at hospitals in Lewisham and Greenwich, South London, had to remove Lego bricks in balloons, beer and shampoo bottles, a toothbrush, and a door handle from patients' rectums. Hospitals in the Birmingham area recorded multiple visits to remove items such as a phone and a coat hanger.
In Berkshire, hospitals removed a Nerf bullet, boiled egg, Coke can, potato, and both a deodorant bottle and toilet brush handle in one go. Edible objects included cucumbers, courgettes, grapes, and an apple.
Other items and statistics
Among other items people needed help removing were TV remotes, children's toys, a cocktail stirrer, and a bank card. Metal screws, tweezers, razor blades, a knitting needle, knives, paper clips, and a screwdriver also made the list, as did a snow globe, branch, candle, Kinder egg, parsnip, and wallpaper scraper.
Data analysed by the Press Association showed that in 2022 more than 1,500 people attended A&E for a "foreign body in rectum".
Medical response and FOI limitations
Chris Nordstrom, an A&E consultant at Northwick Park Hospital, north-west London, told the Press Association: "Thankfully, incidents of this kind are relatively uncommon but, when they do occur, our priority is to provide safe, compassionate and non-judgmental care." He added: "We would always encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to seek medical attention promptly rather than risk further injury."
Of the 106 hospital trusts who received the FOI request, only 11 responded with an itemised list, because some did not hold the information or cited cost as an exemption. NHS England has been approached by the Press Association for comment.
