Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports (Aug 2021)

Small bowel fistula caused by ingested magnetic beads

  • T.G. Morulana,
  • N. Tshifularo,
  • T.R. Ngwenya,
  • E. Motloung

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsc.2021.101899
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 71
p. 101899

Abstract

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Foreign body(FB) ingestion poses a serious challenge to children from the age of 6 months to 3 years worldwide. Most of the Foreign Bodies will spontaneously pass through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) without any serious consequences, however, a subset of the FB ingestion may cause serious life-threatening complications. Amongst the Foreign Bodies that may serious systemic issues are the button battery, long sharp objects, magnetic beads, and sharp bones. Serial abdominal x-rays and conservative management of a patient who swallowed multiple magnetic beads are not advisable because of the strong attraction from magnets that can cause entrapping of the bowel with subsequent necrosis and a bowel perforation.We present a case of unwitnessed ingestion of magnetic beads with small bowel perforation.

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