Use of magnets in pediatric surgery

Since the 1970s, magnets have been progressively harnessed for use in minimally invasive treatment of pediatric surgical disease. In particular, multiple magnetic devices have been developed for treating esophageal atresia, pectus excavatum and scoliosis. These devices, which can be placed via small incisions or under endoscopic or fluoroscopic guidance, provide the added benefit of sparing patients multiple large, invasive procedures, and allowing for gradual correction of congenital anomalies over days to months, depending on the disease. In the following text, we detail the current landscape of magnetic devices used by pediatric surgeons, illustrate their use through clinical cases, and review the available body of literature with respect their outcomes and complications.