Treatment of benign rectal stricture caused by repeated anal insertion by endoscopy and balloon dilation: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Benign rectal strictures can be categorized as primary (disease-related) and secondary (surgical anastomosis-related). Secondary strictures arise from surgical complications, whereas primary strictures have diverse etiologies, including various inflammatory conditions. Benign strictures are usually managed by surgery and endoscopy. We present an unusual etiology of benign rectal stricture caused by the repeated insertion of foreign objects into the rectum for sexual purposes, resulting in rectal injury and subsequent chronic inflammation.

CASE SUMMARY

A 53-year-old man presented to the outpatient clinic of the Colorectal Surgery Department with symptoms of chronic constipation and bloody stools. The patient previously experienced rectal injury due to foreign object insertion for sexual purposes. Colonoscopy revealed benign circumferential narrowing of the rectum. He underwent treatment by endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and balloon dilation and follow-up as an outpatient for 4 months. A colonoscopy at the end of the follow-up period revealed no evidence of rectal stricture relapse.

CONCLUSION

A history of rectal injury, followed by chronic inflammation, should be considered in patients with benign rectal strictures. Management with endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and balloon dilation can prevent the need for surgical resection of benign rectal strictures.

Core Tip: The etiologies of benign rectal stricture are primarily associated with chronic inflammation and post-surgical complications. We describe an unusual etiology caused by repeated insertion of foreign objects into the rectum for sexual purposes, resulting in rectal injury and subsequent chronic inflammation. Initiating treatment with endoscopic management and then considering surgical resection, if unsuccessful, might be the most suitable therapeutic strategy. Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation combined with balloon dilation is beneficial for treating benign rectal stricture.

INTRODUCTION

Benign strictures of the rectum are classified as primary (disease-related) and secondary (surgical anastomosis-related)[1]. Secondary strictures arise from anastomotic dehiscence or ischemia, stapling devices, postoperative pelvic infections, or postoperative radiation-induced proctitis[2]. Etiological factors of primary strictures include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use[3], chronic proctitis (prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease)[4], tuberculosis[5], and complicated diverticulitis[6]. These factors primarily affect patients who have undergone recent surgery or have underlying inflammatory diseases. Proctitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the anal canal and/or rectum. It can result from inflammatory bowel disease, infectious proctitis due to sexually transmitted infections through genital-anal mucosal contact, or traumatic proctitis caused by digital contact or the use of foreign objects[7]. Benign strictures are usually managed surgically and endoscopically. However, an optimal approach to treating benign rectal strictures has not been established. We posit that initial endoscopy rather than surgical resection can improve patient satisfaction with more favorable postoperative outcomes. Here we describe a case of a homosexual male with an unusual rectal stricture. Although he denied receptive anal intercourse with men, he inserted toys or household items into the rectum via the anal canal for sexual eroticism. The rectum was damaged, chronically inflamed, and constricted. We applied a novel therapeutic approach comprising argon plasma coagulation (APC) and balloon dilation.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 53-year-old Chinese man presented to the outpatient department of Tri-Service General Hospital, Songsang Branch with bloody stools.

History of present illness

The patient reported experiencing discomfort and difficulty passing stools for approximately 6 months that were not relieved by laxatives. He recalled having persistent anal pain and bleeding for approximately 2 wk after inserting anal toys and household items approximately 1 year before presentation; however, he did not seek medical assistance at that time.

History of past illness

The patient had no history of chronic diseases or surgeries.

Personal and family history

The personal and family history of the patient was unremarkable.

Physical examination

Abdominal and digital rectal findings were not specific.

Laboratory examinations

Laboratory serum examinations revealed no significant abnormalities.

Imaging examinations

Colonoscopy revealed an apparently benign, circumferential rectal stricture 6 cm above the anal verge (Figure 1) through which the colonoscope could not pass. A biopsy of the stricture revealed adenomatous hyperplasia with fibroblast proliferation.

Figure 1.

Colonoscopy shows an apparently benign, circumferential rectal narrowing 6 cm above the anal verge.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Colonoscopy indicated a benign rectal stricture.

TREATMENT

A colonoscopy with APC for tissue ablation at the stricture edge was performed after the initial diagnosis was confirmed (Figure 2). One week later, balloon dilation using a Foley catheter was performed. The balloon was inflated with 15 mL of water, and the diameter of the inflated balloon was approximately 25 mm. The stenosis improved, as evidenced by the smooth passage of a 25-mm anal dilator (Figure 3). Improvement in the patient’s symptoms was limited after 6 wk of follow-up. Therefore, the patient underwent a repeat colonoscopy with APC that achieved complete resolution of luminal narrowing (Figure 4).

Figure 2.

First endoscopic stricturotomy using argon plasma coagulation. A: Tissue ablation at stricture edge using argon plasma coagulation; B: The diameter of the stricture increased.

Figure 3.

Ballon dilation using Foley catheter. A: Stricture site dilation to 25 mm with Foley balloon (15 mL water); B and C: A 25 mm anal dilator passes through smoothly.

Figure 4.

Second endoscopic stricturotomy with argon plasma coagulation. Complete resolution of the rectal stricture.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

No complications developed during the management. Four months after treatment, a repeat colonoscopy revealed no evidence of rectal stricture relapse (Figure 5). The patient's symptoms were completely resolved thereafter.

Figure 5.

Follow-up colonoscopy after endoscopic treatment. The luminal narrowing resolved completely without evidence of recurrent rectal stricture four months after the endoscopic treatment.

DISCUSSION

Rectal strictures typically form in an area of muscle that contracts over time and narrows or blocks the intestinal passage. These strictures have various underlying causes and are broadly categorized as benign or malignant. Benign rectal strictures often manifest as the outcome of an inflammatory cascade, leading to the development of hyperplastic scars and tissue fibrosis[8]. They can greatly affect the quality of life of patients, which leads to changes in bowel habits. They sometimes manifest as medical emergencies when they obstruct the bowel.

Anastomotic strictures associated with colorectal surgery were ruled out because the patient had not undergone any procedures. He had no history of drug use. Inflammatory bowel disease was unlikely as the patient did not have diarrhea. Endoscopic findings revealed no erosions, ulcers, edema, mucosal granularity, and friability[9]. Although rectal strictures are rarely associated with foreign bodies, one case report has described a rectal stricture caused by a chicken bone that had been retained for two years[10]. Rectal stricture can result from chronic inflammation caused by foreign body insertion. We inferred that repeated insertion of a foreign body over the long term caused the rectal injury in this patient. Rectal strictures can also occur due to burn injuries associated with hot water or coffee enemas[11,12]. All these causes similarly indicate that rectal injury can lead to strictures because of chronic inflammation. To the best of our knowledge, similar reports of rectal stricture caused by repeated foreign object insertion have not been published in the literature.

Various therapeutic approaches include the mechanical dilation of rectal strictures, electrocautery, manual widening, transanal mechanical stapling devices, endoscopic, and surgical methods[13]. Surgical procedures, such as resection and stricturoplasty, are more efficient than endoscopic approaches in addressing colorectal strictures. However, surgical resection and stricturoplasty are linked to a notably higher incidence of postoperative complications, which can require further diverting stoma and a greater likelihood of stricture recurrence[14,15]. Endoscopic methods such as implanted stents, electrocautery incision, balloon dilation, or combined management, are minimally invasive, simple procedures that can delay the need for surgery by an average of 6.5 years[16].

We avoided surgical resection for our patient because incontinence, frequency, and urgency, which are collectively described as low anterior resection syndrome would have adversely affected his quality of life[17]. The resolution of one issue would lead to the development of another. Stent placement was not selected because this can lead to complications over the long term such as stent dislodgment and obstruction due to fecal impaction[18]. We applied radial incisions using endoscopic electrocautery with APC to ensure that hyperplastic tissues were thoroughly cleaned within the incisions. An APC technique for benign colorectal strictures has been established[19]. The success rate of balloon dilation to treat surgical anastomotic and inflammatory disease-related strictures is approximately 97% and the incidence (< 3%) of major complications is low[20]. We used a Foley balloon instead of an endoscopic balloon because of the short length of the stricture. The Foley balloon could adequately cover the narrow area, which was close to the anus. Although recommendations for managing benign colorectal strictures have not been officially established, the outcome of treating our patient with APC combined with balloon dilation was successful. Nonetheless, long-term and regular colonoscopic surveillance is critically important to assess recurrence in patients with rectal strictures.

CONCLUSION

Benign rectal strictures are primarily associated with chronic inflammation and postoperative complications. Our patient had an unusual etiology that developed from the prolonged insertion of foreign objects into the rectum for pleasure, resulting in rectal injury and subsequent chronic inflammation. A standardized approach to treating this type of benign rectal stricture has not been established. However, initiating treatment with endoscopy and considering surgery if unsuccessful might be the most suitable strategy under such circumstances. We treated the rectal stricture using endoscopic APC in combination with balloon dilation, which avoided surgical resection of the rectum.