J Korean Surg Soc.  2007 Oct;73(4):355-358.

Gastrointestinal Complication Caused by Ingestion of Multiple Magnets for Children

• Kim KJ
• Ju YT
• Jeong CY
• Jung EJ
• Lee YJ
• Hong SC
• Choi SK
• Ha WS
• Park ST

Abstract

Because of the magnetic property that attracts magnets to one another, the swallowing of magnets could provoke perforation, obstruction, and formation of fistula in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, the authors describe two cases of gastrointestinal complication caused by swallowed magnets in children. The first case occurred in a 12-year-old boy who swallowed multiple magnetic educational instruments; the patients presented with duodeno-colic and colo-colic fistula. In the second case, a 7-year-old boy swallowed two magnets and developed a jejuno-jejunal fistula associated with perforation of the jejunum. In accidental swallowing of the magnet, especially multiple pieces, the follow-up plain abdominal X-ray film should be checked, and an emergency exploration could be considered.

Keyword

Foreign body; Magnets; Perforation; Fistula; Obstruction

MeSH Terms

Child*
Deglutition
Eating*
Emergencies
Fistula
Foreign Bodies
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Jejunum
Male
X-Ray Film