Impacted drug-packet in the sigmoid colon: a case report in a resource- constrained setting

Introduction The management of a retained cannabis-filled packet in the colorectal portion of the gut depends on its depth and the consequences caused. Case description This is a case of a young male prisoner in sub-Saharan Africa, Cameroon who presented with progressive lower abdominal pain and constipation from an impacted foreign body in the sigmoid colon. This followed the insertion of the foreign body per anum. Discussion The primary challenges of transanal foreign bodies which then become lodged are patient embarrassment, which can delay presentation and increase the risk of complications such as bowel perforation, and the difficulty of removing the object. Following failed conservative management, the impacted foreign body in the sigmoid colon was retrieved through a laparotomy. Conclusion Retained foreign body in the sigmoid colon has a much higher chance of retrieval through a laparotomy than transanally.