Slovenská chirurgia 1-2/2016
Gastrointestinal tract perforations due to ingested foreign bodies in 1.5 year old baby
Perforation of the viscera with oval foreign body is extremely rare complication. Diagnosis can be hindered by negative medical history data from parents of the little patient. While most of these objects leave the alimentary tract without a complicating course, sharp objects, magnets, batteries or combination with another metallic element may perforate the viscera and present as acute abdomen. Attraction force between magnets may result in local damage of the intestinal wall and result in a perforation. Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common problem during childhood and mentally ill people. The most common symptoms were found to be epigastralgia, vomiting, fever, nausea, and jaundice. In non-specific symptoms and abdominal pain in children who do not respond to symptomatic treatment, we should look for the deeper etiology. Dangerous or sharp-pointed objects, which have passed into the stomach or proximal duodenum, should be retrieved endoscopically if safe removal is possible. If there is perforation, the treatment is exclusively surgical and performance depends on the extent of necrotic changes. Laparoscopic approach may also be encouraged in acute and less inflamed cases because it enables direct assessment of the intraperitoneal cavity and organs. The prognosis is favorable in pediatric patients.
Keywords: foreign body perforation, acute abdomen, laparotomy, magnet, battery
