[Intestinal perforation due to multiple magnet ingestion: a case report].
Multiple magnet ingestion during childhood may result in emergency situations. A single magnet may be discharged with intestinal peristalsis, but multiple magnets may stick together and cause significant intestinal complications. Here we present a case with intestinal perforation due to ingestion of multiple magnets and metal pieces. An eight-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. She had abdominal tenderness and defense on the physical examination. Abdominal X-ray showed air and fluid levels. Metallic images were not considered at first as important in the diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasonography was reported as acute appendicitis. During the abdominal exploration, the appendix was normal, but there were dense adherences around the ileum and cecum. After adhesiolysis, intestinal perforations were seen in the cecum and 15 and 45 cm proximal to the cecum. Magnet and metal pieces were present in the perforated segments. Wedge resection and primary repair was performed. There were no postoperative complications, and she was discharged on the postoperative fifth day. Pediatric surgeons should be aware of the complications of multiple magnet ingestion. If the patient has a history of multiple magnet ingestion, follow-up with daily abdominal X-rays should be done, and in cases where magnets seem to cluster together or if acute abdominal signs develop, surgical exploration should be considered.
Sigli Etfal Eğitim ve Araştirma Hastanesi, Cocuk Cerrahisi Kliniği, Istanbul, Turkey.
Mehmet Nuri
MN
Cevizci
Cetin Ali
CA
Karadağ
Mesut
M
Demir
Ali Ihsan
AI
Dokucu
D015746:Abdominal Pain; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D059346:Magnets / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting