Magnetic attraction: dual complications in a single case

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Case Report

Background:

• Ingestion of foreign bodies, particularly magnets, can lead to severe gastrointestinal complications.
• Dual complications from magnet ingestion, such as perforation and fistula formation, are exceptionally rare.

Observation:

• A 19-year-old female with intellectual disability presented with acute abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• Physical examination indicated abdominal tenderness, guarding, and rigidity, suggestive of peritonitis.
• Exploratory laparotomy revealed magnets lodged in the jejunum, causing perforation and a gastrojejunal fistula.

Findings:

• Surgical management included enterotomy for magnet removal, bowel resection of the affected segment, and end-to-end anastomosis.
• The patient experienced dual gastrointestinal injuries from a single incident of magnet ingestion.

Implications:

• This case highlights the critical need for vigilance in managing foreign body ingestion, especially in vulnerable populations.
• It underscores the potential for severe, combined complications from ingested magnets, emphasizing the importance of prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention.
• This report contributes to the limited literature on rare magnet-induced gastrointestinal injuries, particularly in the Middle East.