Smelly Fluid From The Rectum Due To Injury. Is It Serious?

Posted on Sat, 12 Nov 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 Answered on

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : my partnr said he fell over and a pipe went up his rectum and he had been beeding for 4 days and now he said the fluid is clear but really smelly. Is this serious? And what are the chances of that actually happening though ?

Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (24 minutes later)

Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for posting your query.
The anus is a closed orifice guarded by the pelvic floor muscles and the rectum is above the anus.so for a pipe to enter through anus and reach the rectum just with a fall seems highly unlikely, or a least possible condition.
You need to discuss with your partner about the details as, if it really has occurred and he bled for four days and then has foul smelling discharge it points to an infection which needs to be treated.
He has to visit a doctor , who can perform a proctoscopy and if needed barium enema xrays to rule out any mucosal tears or injury resulting in wound infection.
If such a wound remains untreated it can lead to complications like bowel necrosis, spread of infection and sepsis.
So kindly consult your general surgeon promptly if such an event has infact occurred.
However I would also advice you confirm the facts before such consulation.
If by any chance your partner has multiple sexual partners, he is at a risk of sexually transmitted infections and needs to consult a venereal disease specialist in that case.
Hope I have answered your query.
I'll be available for any follow up queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T