WOFAPS 2025 8th World Congress of Pediatric Surgery

Fatma Thamri, Senda Houidi, Oussema Meherzi, wiem Hamouda, Yosra Kerkeni, Sondes Sahli, Riadh Jouini

children hospital Bechir Hamza, Pediatric surgery department A Tunis Tunisia

Introduction

Intestinal perforation caused by foreign bodies in children poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the diverse nature of ingested objects and their potential for substantial harm. Prompt surgical intervention guided by a high index of suspicion is crucial

This study aims to review our institutional experience with this condition

Materials and Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify pediatric patients who underwent surgical treatment for intestinal perforation secondary to foreign body ingestion between 2009 and 2024. Demographic details, type of foreign body, diagnostic modalities, surgical approaches, and postoperative complications were analyzed

Results

Nine children (5 males, 4 females) with a mean age of 4.2 years (range: 2-8 years) were included.
Perforations were caused by sharp objects (needles, pins) in 5 cases, chicken bones in one case, a plant stem in one case, and fishbones in 2 cases.
Diagnosis relied on clinical examination and abdominal imaging, with pneumoperitoneum seen on X-rays in 7 cases and ultrasound revealing a mass in one case.
Computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed diagnoses in 2 cases. Emergency laparotomy was performed in all patients, with perforations predominantly
located in the ileum (6 cases), jejunum (2 cases), and colon (1 case). Surgical repair involved primary closure in 7 cases and resection
with anastomosis in 2 cases. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients, including wound infections (2 cases) and anastomotic leak (1 case),
all of which were successfully managed. The mean hospital stay was 7.2 ± 1.6 days.

Conclusion

Pediatric intestinal perforation secondary to foreign body ingestion is a potentially life-threatening condition that necessitates early recognition and timely surgical intervention to optimize outcomes and prevent complications