Vaginal foreign bodies

Objective:  To evaluate the clinical features and outcome in girls with a vaginal foreign body. Methods:  Retrospective review of medical records of 35 girls with a vaginal foreign body seen in an outpatient clinic for paediatric and adolescent gynaecology between 1980 and 2000. Results:  The ages ranged from 2.6 to 9.2 years. The most common symptom was blood‐stained vaginal discharge/vaginal bleeding (49%). Duration of symptoms varied from 1 day to 2 years. Fifty‐four percent of the patients recalled insertion of the foreign object, usually by the girl herself. All but three patients (91%) either recalled insertion of the foreign object and/or had vaginal bleeding or blood‐stained or foul‐smelling vaginal discharge, and/or visualization or palpation of the foreign body in physical examination. Symptoms resolved after removal of the foreign body followed by a single irrigation with Providon‐Iod (Betadine®). Conclusion:  In the majority of patients a carefully obtained history and physical examination suggest the diagnosis of a vaginal foreign object. The leading symptoms are vaginal bleeding and blood‐stained or foul smelling vaginal discharge. Removal of the foreign object followed by a single irrigation with Providon‐Iod is the definitive treatment and does not require additional measures.