Two Children Undergo Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Dangerous Objects in Northern Israel

Two serious cases of children swallowing foreign objects were treated within two weeks at Emek Medical Center in Afula, Israel. A four-year-old boy swallowed a button battery, requiring emergency surgery to remove it. The battery was lodged in his esophagus, posing a risk of severe chemical burns and potentially life-threatening complications if not removed quickly. Dr. Firas Rinawi, head of pediatric gastroenterology at the center, emphasized the urgency, stating that damage can occur within two hours and "every minute counts." The boy underwent a gastroscopy under general anesthesia, and although minor esophageal damage was observed, he was discharged in good condition after monitoring.

In a more complex case, a five-year-old girl swallowed 16 small magnets from a toy. The magnets had moved into her intestines, where they attracted each other through different loops of the bowel, causing significant damage including five perforations. Endoscopic removal was impossible, necessitating emergency surgery. Dr. Mark Arkowitz, head of pediatric surgery, explained that the damaged sections of the intestine had to be removed and the healthy ends reconnected in a complex procedure. The surgery was successful, and the girl is currently recovering.

Doctors warn that seemingly harmless objects like batteries and magnets can cause severe internal injuries and even threaten life. Children may not show immediate symptoms, so rapid hospital admission is critical. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting should prompt urgent medical evaluation if ingestion of foreign objects is suspected.