[Magnetic foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract in pediatric practice].

Objective: To analyze the pediatric patients with multiple magnetic foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract undergoing surgical intervention; to present the treatment and diagnostic algorithm in pediatric practice; to compare surgical interventions for these lesions and determine the most optimal one.

Material and methods: A retrospective single-center study included 9 patients diagnosed with multiple magnetic foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract. Exclusion criteria: outpatient cases and endoscopic removal of magnetic foreign bodies. All patients underwent laparoscopy and/or laparotomy. We analyzed postoperative data and determined the preferable approach.

Results: All patients were discharged without complications. Length of hospital-stay was shorter after laparoscopy (7 vs. 12 days). Patients after laparoscopy didn't need for intensive care while laparotomy required ICU stay for 4.5±2.2 days. Enteral feeding started after 1 and 3 days, respectively.

Conclusion: Laparoscopy is preferable for multiple magnetic foreign bodies of the gastrointestinal tract due to shorter hospital-stay, no need for ICU-stay, lower surgical trauma and earlier enteral feeding.