Case Report: Intestinal Perforation by Ingestion of Magnets

Abstract

A frequent pathology on pediatric patients is determined by ingesting foreign objects which are expelled in the feces in most of cases, so intestinal perforation is not very common. But, an early and appropriate diagnosis is required to surgical resolution and to avoid endangering the lives of pediatric patients. Objective: To describe a case of perforation of intestinal loops by foreign bodies (magnets), to make a timely diagnosis for adequate surgical treatment. Methods and Materials: Descriptive, retrospective study, presentation and analysis of a clinical case with prior informed consent of the parents. Results: A case of timely surgical management for perforation of loops of the small intestine by foreign bodies (magnets) is described. This is a 6-year-old pediatric patient with no significant clinical or surgical history, no allergies described, presenting with abdominal pain of 2 days duration in the epigastrium and later generalized throughout the abdomen, accompanied by vomiting of food content by several occasions. On physical examination, the abdomen was tense with signs of peritoneal irritation and with the ultrasound report of free fluid in the cavity, it was decided to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy, which was converted to an exploratory laparotomy and intestinal raffia due to the finding with a favorable post-surgical evolution. Make a proper diagnosis and timely management of the patient in an acute abdomen results in successful surgery.