A rare and unusual case in Italy has left doctors both alarmed and astonished. An 85-year-old man sought medical help after experiencing severe rectal pain, only to discover via X-ray that a whole light bulb was lodged in his rectum. Unable to remove it himself, he eventually turned to hospital staff for assistance. The elderly man did not disclose why he inserted the bulb, though doctors speculated it may have been part of a “sexual experiment.”
According to Italian media outlet binews.it, the incident occurred on the 19th of this month. Initially too embarrassed to seek help, the man attempted to extract the bulb himself using a screwdriver from his toolbox. This only pushed the bulb further inside, scratching the rectal lining and intensifying the pain, while also raising the risk of infection. As the pain became unbearable, he finally contacted medical professionals.
Upon arrival, paramedics immediately transported him to the hospital. An X-ray confirmed the object as an intact light bulb. Surgeons used forceps to carefully remove the bulb without breaking it, minimizing further injury. Due to rectal trauma, the man required hospitalization for observation but was reported to be out of life-threatening danger.
While the patient did not reveal his reasons, doctors suspect the insertion was linked to sexual experimentation.
Although such cases are rare, they are not unprecedented. A similar incident occurred in Colombia, where a 53-year-old man sought care for rectal pain and was found to have a large light bulb lodged in his rectum. Fortunately, it, too, was removed intact.
Gastroenterologist and internist Dr. Julian Pylori warns that inserting foreign objects into the body can easily cause rectal tears, bleeding, infection, and even sepsis. He urges the public not to attempt such acts or try to remove objects themselves, highlighting the serious health risks involved.
