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Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

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A rare cause of intestinal perforation: ingestion of magnet

Ceyhan Sahin1, Dolunay Alver, Neslihan Gulcin

  • 1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Zeynep Kamil Maternal and Child Diseases Educational and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey.

World Journal of Pediatrics : WJP
|November 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Ingesting multiple magnets can cause serious intestinal perforation in children. Prompt surgical intervention is crucial if imaging shows magnets in a fixed position to prevent complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Foreign Body Ingestion

Background:

  • Foreign object ingestion is a frequent pediatric concern.
  • Multiple magnet ingestion poses a significant risk of intestinal perforation, often necessitating surgical intervention.

Observation:

  • A 4-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain and bilious vomiting following magnet ingestion.
  • Radiopaque imaging confirmed a magnet in the epigastric region, presumed to be in the duodenum.
  • Physical examination revealed diffuse abdominal tenderness and nasogastric tube drainage.

Findings:

  • Exploratory laparotomy revealed a magnet-induced perforation between the pylorus and duodenum.
  • Two adhered magnets caused necrosis and perforation of the interposed tissue.
  • Surgical excision and primary anastomosis were performed successfully.

Implications:

  • Early recognition and surgical management of pediatric magnet ingestion are vital to prevent severe gastrointestinal complications.
  • Delayed surgical intervention for fixed magnets increases the risk of intestinal perforation and associated morbidity.
Abstract

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