SOC
Surgery on Children

Surgery on Children Journal aims to publish issues related to Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatric Vascular Surgery, Pediatric Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pediatric Ear Nose Throat, Ophthalmology, Pediatric Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Pediatric Urology, Pediatric Surgical Intensive Care Clinic, and other clinical surgery fields on children of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level and accepts articles on these topics.

eISSN: 3023-7289
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Case Report
Silent damage: asymptomatic jejuno-cecal fistula following multiple magnet ingestion in a child
Abstract
Multiple magnet ingestion in children constitutes a hazardous condition that may result in significant gastrointestinal complications. Sometimes, clinical symptoms may be entirely absent. This study seeks to demonstrate that multiple magnet ingestion can be asymptomatic clinically yet cause severe intestinal damage, and to underscore the importance of early surgical assessment for magnets that remain stationary on serial imaging, irrespective of the presence of symptoms. A seven-year-old male patient was evaluated one week following the ingestion of seven small spherical magnets. The patient remained asymptomatic, exhibiting no abdominal tenderness or signs indicative of peritonitis. Serial abdominal radiographs revealed persistent clustering of the magnets in the right lower quadrant, with no evidence of interval progression. Due to the lack of radiographic progression, a laparoscopic exploration was performed in the fifth week post-ingestion, following resolution of an intercurrent upper respiratory tract infection. A jejuno-cecal fistula resulting from pressure necrosis was identified approximately 45 centimeters distal to the ligament of Treitz. The affected intestinal segments were exteriorized via an enlarged umbilical incision. The magnets were extracted, the edges of the fistula were debrided, and the jejunal and cecal defects were primarily repaired in two layers. An appendectomy was also performed owing to the proximity of the cecal defect to the appendiceal base. No bowel resection was deemed necessary. The postoperative course was uneventful. This case illustrates that the ingestion of multiple magnets can result in severe intestinal injury, even in the absence of symptoms. Metallic foreign bodies that persist in a stationary position on serial imaging necessitate surgical exploration irrespective of symptom presentation.

Keywords : Children, foreign bodies, intestinal fistula, laparoscopy, magnets, play and playthings

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 2, 2026
Page : 65-68
https://doi.org/10.51271/SOC-0072
Article Information
Received : 26 Şub 2026
Accepted : 07 Nis 2026
Published : 27 Nis 2026
Corresponding Author :

Gökhan Berktuğ Bahadır: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Gülhane Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Çevik OM, Ünlü Ballı SE, Gördü B, Şimşek FB, Çalışkan MB, Bahadır GB. Silent damage: asymptomatic jejuno-cecal fistula following multiple magnet ingestion in a child. Surg Child. 2026;3(2):65-68. doi:10.51271/SOC-0072

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