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Boy, 9, Undergoes Multiple Surgeries After Swallowing Magnetic Balls
What began as an innocent game turned into a medical emergency for nine-year-old Theunus Rossouw, who unknowingly swallowed three small magnetic balls while playing — and didn’t tell anyone. Weeks later, the consequences were life-threatening.
After a week of abdominal pain, Theunus was rushed to hospital, where an initial assessment sent him home with medication. But hours later, a doctor’s urgent call led to his immediate readmission. A scan revealed that the magnets had torn holes in his intestines and colon, causing severe internal damage.
Doctors discovered two magnets lodged on one side of his intestines and a third in his colon. Their magnetic force pulled sections of his digestive system together, creating perforations and a leak that required emergency surgery.
What was meant to be a two-hour operation turned into a six-hour battle to repair the damage. Surgeons removed parts of his intestines and colon to prevent further leakage and transferred him to a high-risk ICU in Midrand for continued care.
Theunus later underwent two more surgeries. During the third procedure, doctors uncovered additional leaks, prompting them to disconnect his intestines from his colon and reattach them in a different area. As a result, his digestive system is not functioning normally, and he currently relies on intravenous nutrition. His incision has been left open for a fourth planned operation.
If the upcoming procedure fails to restore proper function, doctors may be forced to create a stoma — a life-altering development for the young boy.
Meanwhile, the Rossouw family is under intense financial strain. To manage mounting medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, and future care, they’ve launched a Back-a-Buddy campaign to raise support for Theunus during his extended hospital stay.
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Sourced:The Independent Co
Picture: The Independent Co
