Lego bricks, TV remotes and a snowglobe are among the thousands of items removed from people’s bottoms in Britain’s hospitals, survey shows

A survey of hospital records has found a wide range of objects, from Lego bricks and TV remotes to a snowglobe, removed from patients’ rectums in Britain. The findings highlight the need for people with difficulties to seek medical care promptly, and for treatment to be safe and non-judgemental.

More than 100 hospital trusts received Freedom of Information requests, but only 11 provided itemised lists. Data showed that over 1,500 people attended A&E in 2022 for a foreign body in the rectum; earlier research found 3,500 extraction procedures between 2010 and 2019, costing more than £3 million. A consultant said these incidents are uncommon and urged people to seek help rather than risk further injury.