Skip to main content

Foreign Body Ingestion — Multiple Magnets Confirmed on X-Ray — Clinical Pathway: Emergency, ICU and Inpatient

Pathway for the Evaluation/Treatment of the Child with Foreign Body Ingestion

Multiple Magnets Confirmed on X-ray
Esophagus
Stomach
Consult ENT
  • ENT will consult:
    • General Surgery for OR back-up
    • GI as indicated
Consult GI
Emergent
Endoscopic Removal
Notify OR 5-4444
NPO, IVF
Beyond the Stomach
Symptoms
No Symptoms
Consult GI
Admit for removal
Consult GI
Admit GI
Treatment Options if No Symptoms
  • If symptoms develop, prepare for immediate removal
  • Consider the following:
    • Laxative to aid passage
    • Serial abdominal exams
    • Serial X-ray 4-6 hrs
      • Note: Magnets moving on sequential X-rays may not represent true progression of magnet within a single lumen
  • Removal procedure based on exam, magnet type, location
    • Endoscopy
    • Colonoscopy
    • Surgery
Magnet Precautions
  • Remove all metallic, magnetic objects from child's environment
  • Ensure no magnets, metal on child's clothing
    (buckles, snaps, buttons)
  • Ensure no magnets available for ingestion
  • Continue until magnets are passed
 
Jump back to top