Surgical treatment of multiple magnet ingestion by children: A single-center experience from China

Abstract

Background: The incidence of magnet ingestion in children has escalated concurrent with the rise in popularity of magnetic playthings, bearing the capacity to induce substantial morbidity. Aim: The objective of this study was to encapsulate our accumulated expertise in handling pediatric cases featuring multiple magnetic foreign bodies within the gastrointestinal tract sometimes necessitating surgical intervention, as well as to formulate a clinical management algorithm. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients with multiple magnetic foreign bodies in the digestive tract, admitted to Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, between January 2018 and December 2022. Results: A total of 100 cases were included in this study, including 66 males and 34 females. The main clinical manifestation ns were abdominal pain and vomiting. All patients had abdominal x-ray, all of which indicated foreign bodies in the digestive tract. 33 patients had to undergo a surgical intervention. Among these cases, the gastrointestinal complications occurred in 31 patients, including gastric rupture (n = 9), intestinal obstruction (n = 11) and intestinal perforation (n = 30). Postoperative intestinal obstruction occurred in 6 children. There was no statistical significant difference in age and gender between the Surgical group and Non-surgical group, but the Surgical group had a higher number of magnets ([7.5(2-44) vs 4(2-20)], p = 0.009), a longer interval between time of misingestion to clinical visit ([48(7.2-480) vs 5(2-336)]hours, p < 0.001), and a longer length of hospital stay ([10(6-19) vs 2(1-8)]days, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Multiple magnet ingestion in children can lead to serious complications and carry severe risks. Timely diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for managing such patients.