General Medical Information

Vaginal Foreign Bodies

Wilberto Nieves-Neira
Bhagirath Majmudar
Ira R. Horowitz

Foreign bodies in the vagina usually produce a purulent or sanguinous discharge that causes significant vulvar irritation. Foreign objects should be considered in cases of persistent or recurrent vulvitis. Frequently the child denies this possibility. In these cases, a crusty erythematous or hyperpigmented line develops along the dependent part of the labia majora. The most common foreign object recovered in prepubertal girls is wads of toilet paper. These can appear as gray masses at the vaginal introitus. A case of a vaginal foreign body retained for 20 years since childhood was reported. Rectal examination, ultrasonography, and radiographic studies fail to detect most foreign bodies. Initial efforts for removal of a foreign object include vaginal lavage using a 10 to 12 red rubber catheter. Vaginoscopy should be performed. Foreign objects have a tendency to become embedded into the vaginal walls as inflammation produces a papillary growth of the mucosa.