Although infrequent, rectal foreign bodies present a challenge in management. The authors report on their experience with 29 patients who had rectal foreign bodies. Emergency-department procedures included rectal examination, proctoscopy and abdominal radiography. Soft or low-lying objects having an edge could be grasped and removed safely in the emergency department, but grasping hard objects was potentially traumatic and occasionally resulted in upward migration toward the sigmoid. Operating-room procedures included anal dilatation under general anesthesia, transrectal manipulation, bimanual palpation if necessary and withdrawal of the foreign body. In two cases, rectal mucosa was trapped--in an open deodorant bottle in one patient and in a curtain rod in the second patient; operative release of the mucosa enabled safe removal. Two patients presented with peritonitis; both had "broomstick" injuries and required proximal colostomy. Five patients had perianal sepsis due to inadvertently ingested pieces of wood (three) and chicken bones (two). The mean hospital stay was 3 days (range from 6 hours to 6 days). There were no deaths. Because of the potential complications, rectal foreign bodies should be regarded seriously and treated expeditiously.