Multiple magnetic foreign body ingestion in pediatric patients: a single-center retrospective review

Objective Foreign body (FB) ingestion is increasingly common in children, and ingestion of multiple magnetic FBs can cause serious injuries. This study aimed to identify the clinical features and management options of such cases. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of 35 pediatric patients diagnosed as having ingested multiple magnetic FBs. Results The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Of the 35 patients, 6 (17.1%) were conservatively treated and the remaining 29 (82.9%) were surgically treated. Of those who were surgically treated, 26 underwent exploratory laparotomy and 3 underwent laparoscopic surgery that was switched to open surgery. Intestinal structure and function were restored without complications in patients who underwent successful perforation repair following removal of multiple magnetic FBs. Conclusions Ingestion of multiple magnetic FBs can lead to intestinal perforations, bowel strangulation, and necrosis. Accordingly, timely diagnosis and effective management of multiple magnetic FB ingestions in pediatric patients are of paramount importance to reduce further complications.