Overview
- X-rays showed four linear chains of neodymium magnets in separate bowel segments after the teen reported ingesting 80–100 pieces a week earlier.
- Surgeons at Tauranga Hospital removed the magnets and resected necrotic sections of small bowel and caecum caused by pressure from the magnet clusters.
- The patient was discharged eight days after surgery, and clinicians cautioned that magnet injuries can lead to later complications such as obstruction or hernia.
- New Zealand has prohibited personal-sale of small high‑power magnets since 2013/2014, yet the items remain accessible through cross-border e-commerce.
- Temu said it launched an internal review, contacted the NZMJ authors, and is reviewing listings but has not confirmed the specific product or purchase.