Ho Chi Minh City: Swallowing 20 magnets, a boy's small intestine was punctured with 8 holes

Male patient LTP (5 years old, in Ho Chi Minh City) was admitted to the hospital in a state of restlessness, discomfort, abdominal pain, and vomiting. The doctor performed a laparoscopic surgery, recorded 8 holes in the small intestine, and removed 20 magnets.

According to the medical history, on days 1 and 2, the child vomited and had abdominal pain, which did not improve with medication; on day 3, the child experienced severe abdominal pain, walked hunched over, had no fever, vomited greenish fluid, and was lethargic. The family brought the child to the City Children's Hospital for examination.

20 rusty magnets caused a perforation in the small intestine.

On September 4th, Dr. Nguyen Minh Tien, a specialist at the City Children's Hospital, stated that at the hospital, baby P. presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and fussiness. Examination revealed abdominal wall rigidity, and X-rays showed a chain of foreign objects in the upper and lower sections of the small intestine. Ultrasound revealed enteritis and peritonitis.

Following consultations with gastroenterologists and surgical specialists, a laparoscopic abdominal surgery was performed, revealing eight perforations in the small intestine. Two strings of magnets, totaling 20 magnets, were removed. The removed magnets were rusted, causing serious damage to the intestine. The doctors then sutured all the perforations in the small intestine.

Five days after the surgery, the child no longer had abdominal pain or vomiting, was alert, was able to eat orally, and had yellow stools. The child continued to be monitored for damage to the intestinal mucosa as well as gastrointestinal function.

The magnets were swallowed by children from small Lego blocks.

PHOTO: BSCC

Previously, doctors at the City Children's Hospital also removed a foreign object, a round battery, located in the upper third of the esophagus of a 21-month-old child.

A rusted battery and necrotizing ulceration of the esophageal mucosa were observed. Doctors inserted a nasogastric tube to prevent esophageal stricture. The child was given broad-spectrum antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, gastrointestinal mucosal protective agents, and medications to reduce gastrointestinal secretions.

Do not let children play with small-sized toys.

Based on these cases, Dr. Tien advises parents not to let young children play with small-sized toys (regulations stipulate that toys for children under 5 years old must have a minimum diameter of more than 5 cm).

"If you suspect your child has swallowed a foreign object, you must take them to the hospital for prompt treatment to avoid dangerous complications. It's best not to let young children play with toys that have magnets or batteries, as they pose a high risk of gastrointestinal injury," Dr. Tien advised.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tphcm-nuot-20-vien-nam-cham-ruot-non-be-trai-bi-thung-8-lo-18525090419473383.htm