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

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Published on: September 11, 2018

Bowel injuries caused by ingestion of multiple magnets in children: a growing hazard

Hussein Naji1, Daniel Isacson, Jan F Svensson

  • 1Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University, Stockholm, Solna, Sweden. hussein.naji@karolinska.se

Pediatric Surgery International
|December 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Management of ingested magnets in children lacks clear guidelines. Prompt follow-up and early detection of complications, such as perforations, are crucial for timely intervention and good outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Ingested magnetic objects in children pose a management challenge due to a lack of definitive guidelines.
  • Multiple magnet ingestions can lead to severe gastrointestinal complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present clinical experience with pediatric patients who ingested multiple magnets.
  • To emphasize the importance of strict follow-up protocols in managing such cases.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of four pediatric cases of multiple magnet ingestion.
  • Literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE for published reports on multiple magnet ingestion in children.

Main Results:

  • Daily abdominal radiographs and clinical examination facilitated early detection of perforations in two patients.
  • Laparoscopic repair of perforations led to rapid recovery and favorable cosmetic results.
  • Literature search identified 52 additional cases of multiple magnet ingestion in children.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt follow-up and early complication detection are essential for timely surgical intervention.
  • Laparoscopy is the preferred method for abdominal exploration when perforation is suspected in cases of magnet ingestion.
Abstract

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