Author: Sarah Edwards / Editor: Sandi Angus / Codes: / Published: 10/12/2025
This learning session discusses the management of genitourinary foreign bodies (GUFB) in the Emergency Department (ED).
Learning objectives
After completing this session, you will be able to:
- Understand the clinical features of genitourinary foreign bodies (GUFB).
- Consider the clinical management options of GUFBs.
- Discuss additional considerations in the management of GUFBs including safeguarding and domestic violence.
References
- Rodrguez D, et al. Epidemiology of genitourinary foreign bodies in the United States emergency room setting and its association with mental health disorders. Int J Impot Res. 2020;32(4):42633.
- Bhasin S, Williams JG. Rectal foreign body removal: increasing incidence and cost to the NHS. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2021;103(10):7347.
- Bansal A, Yadav P, Kumar M, et al. Foreign bodies in the urinary bladder and their management: a single-centre experience from North India. Int Neurourol J. 2016;20(3):2609.
- Umans E, Boogaerts M, et al. Vaginal foreign body in the pediatric patient: a systematic review. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2024;297:1538.
- Tee-Melegrito RA. Urethral sounding: risks, safety, precautions [Internet]. Medical News Today; 2022 [cited 2025 Jun 20].
- Cawich SO, Thomas D, Mohammed F, et al. A management algorithm for retained rectal foreign bodies. Am J Mens Health. 2017;11(3):68492.
- Cologne KG, Ault GT. Rectal foreign bodies: what is the current standard? Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2012;25(4):2148.
- General Medical Council. Intimate examinations and chaperones [Internet]. London: GMC; [cited 2025 Jun 20].
- Stricker T, Navratil F, Sennhauser FH. Vaginal foreign bodies. J Paediatr Child Health. 2004;40(4):2057.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Non-infective causes of vaginal discharge [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Jun 20].
- Anderson J, Paterek E. Vaginal Foreign Body Evaluation and Treatment. [Updated 2023 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-.
- Panda S, Das A, Das R, et al. An unusual case of retained foreign body in the vagina with vaginal fibrosis. Cureus. 2022;14(6):e20956.
- Coskun A, et al. Management of rectal foreign bodies. World J Emerg Surg. 2013;8:11.
- Maddah G, et al. An uncommon problem: overcoming the challenges of rectal foreign bodiesa case series and literature review. Clin Case Rep. 2023;11(3):e8313.
- Guerrero DM, Sharma A. Chronic infectious complications of recreational urethral sounding with retained foreign body. Cureus. 2020;12(6):e9750.
- Gross IT, Riera A. Vaginal foreign bodies: the potential role of point-of-care ultrasound in the pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2017;33(11):7569.
- Nishiyama K, Horikawa S, Ono Y. A successful pediatric case of vaginal foreign body detection on transabdominal ultrasonography. Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(12):e05154.
- Frier J, Nicholas E, Klawitter P. Case report: using point-of-care ultrasound as a tool to identify a urethral foreign body. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2021;5(1):3942.
- Mori T, Ihara T, Nomura O. Detection of a urethral foreign body in a pediatric patient: another useful application of point-of-care ultrasound. J Emerg Med. 2021;61(1):e2631.
- Crawford SB, Lowry D, Watts SH. Evaluation and management of urethral foreign bodies and description of a novel ultrasound-guided catheter-based extraction technique. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2021;2(1):e12398.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Urinary tract infection (lower): antimicrobial prescribing [Internet]. London: NICE; 2018 [cited 2025 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng109
- Gupta R, Patidar B. Vaginal foreign body in a child: sexual abuse or sibling prank? Med J Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth. 2019;12(2):157.
- Naidu K, Chung A, Mulcahy M. An unusual urethral foreign body. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2013;4(11):10524.
- Phelps BJ, Tiley YM, et al. Acute dysphagia caused by sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Cureus. 2019;11(6):e4129.
- Closson FT, Lichenstein R. Vaginal foreign bodies and child sexual abuse: an important consideration. West J Emerg Med. 2013;14(5):4379.
- Vijfhuize S, Deden AC, Costerus SA, Sloots CEJ, Wijnen RMH. Minimal access surgery for repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: is it advantageous? An open review. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2012;22(5):36473.
- Haronis G, Kozyrakis D, et al. Insertion of a Foreign Body Into the Urethra: A Report of a Rare Case. Cureus. 2025 Jan 30;17(1):e78272.
- Hong S, Kim HJ. Two young men who complained of voiding difficulty after stuffing odd materials into the urethra to obtain sexual gratification. Int Neurourol J. 2014;18(2):98100.
- Kurer MA, et al. Colorectal foreign bodies: a systematic review. Colorectal Dis. 2010;12(9):85161.
- Lucerna A. Foreign body insertions: a review. Emerg Med. 2017;49(4):3159.
- Kasotakis G, Roediger L, Mittal S. Rectal foreign bodies: a case report and review of the literature. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2012;3(3):1115.
- Rahman NU, Elliott SP, McAninch JW. Self-inflicted male urethral foreign body insertion: endoscopic management and complications. BJU Int. 2004;94(7):10513.