Laparoscopic retrieval of ingested metallic foreign objects in children

Ingestion of foreign bodies is common acute surgical pathology, with up to 80% of all ingested foreign bodies occurring in the paediatric population, however, fewer than 1% of these require surgical intervention. Children that progress to surgical management are preselected to have a baser clinical course, as often they develop complications secondary to ingestion of the foreign body. In children known to have ingested foreign bodies, the use of laparoscopy following a has been advocated as it may be easier to visualise the foreign body, however variations in surgical approach may be required based on the location and strength of the magnets In this report, four cases of metallic object ingestion and the safe and reproducible use of minimally invasive techniques utilising the appendix for retrieval have been described.