Impaction of button batteries in the esophagus: a potentially fatal surgical emergency in infancy

Authors

  • A. Pérez-Martínez Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. Pamplona.
  • A. Molina-Caballero Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. Pamplona.
  • C. Goñi-Orayen Sección de UCI pediátrica-Neonatología. Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. Pamplona.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23938/ASSN.0874

Keywords:

Button battery., Ingestion., Pediatrics., Esophageal stricture., Esophagocutaneous fistula.

Abstract

With the recent popularization of button batteries, the incidence of cases of children who ingest them has risen. Unlike other foreign bodies, button batteries are more likely to develop severe complications due to the possibility of early injury to the tissues in direct contact with them.

We present the case of a 22-month-old boy who ingested a button battery which subsequently became lodged in the cervical esophagus. The endoscopic attempt to remove the battery failed, requiring an open esophagotomy for its extraction. In the postoperative period, he presented an esophagocutaneous fistula that closed spontaneously, and an esophageal stricture that was treated successfully with endoscopic balloon dilations.

We reviewed the literature analyzing the recommendations recently outlined and contrasted them with our own protocol for management of ingested foreign bodies. In addition, measures aimed at reducing the risk of button battery ingestion in small children are proposed to the electronics manufacturing industry.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

HUANG T, LI WQ, XIA ZF, LI J, RAO KC, XU EM. Characteristics and outcome of impacted button batteries among young children less than 7 years of age in China: a retrospective analysis of 116 cases. World J Pediatr 2018; 14: 570-575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-018-0188-9

AL LAWATI TT, AL MARHOOBI RM. Timing of button battery removal from the upper gastrointestinal system in children. Pediatr Emer Care 2018. https://doi.org/10.1097/pec.0000000000001697

HOAGLAND MA, ING RJ, JATANA KR, JACOBS IN, CHATTERJEE D. Anesthetic implications of the new guidelines for button battery ingestion in children. Anesth Analg 2020; 130: 665-672. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0000000000004029

National poison data system Button Battery Ingestion Statistics [Internet]. Washington DC, USA. Disponible en: http://www.poison.org/battery/stats

VARGA A, KOVÁCS T, SAXENA AK. Analysis of complications after button battery ingestion in children. Pediatr Emer Care 2018; 34: 443-446. https://doi.org/10.1097/pec.0000000000001413

MEDINA-GAVIRIA V, MOLINA-RAMÍREZ I, FIERRO-ÁVILA F, VALERO-HALABY J. Experiencia en el manejo de ingesta de pilas en un hospital pediátrico. Cir Pediatr 2018; 31: 121-124.

ANAND S, JAIN V, AGARWALA S, DHUA AK, YADAV DK. Esophageal button battery in the pediatric population: experience from a tertiary care center. Indian J Pediatr 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-020-03222-1

KROM H, VISSER M, HULST JM, WOLTERS VM, VAN DEN NEUCKER AM, DE MEIJ T et al. Serious complications after button battery ingestion in children. Eur J Pediatr 2018; 177: 1063-1070. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-018-3154-6

ZARGAR SA, KOCHHAR R, Mehta S, Mehta SK. The role of fiberoptic endoscopy in the management of corrosive ingestion and modified endoscopic classification of burns. Gastrointest Endosc 1991; 37: 165-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0016-5107(91)70678-0

FERRARI D, AIOLFI A, BONITTA G, RIVA CG, RAUSA E, SIBONI S et al. Flexible versus rigid endoscopy in the management of esophageal foreign body impaction: systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Emerg Surg 2018; 13: 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13017-018-0203-4

THAKKAR HS, HEWITT R, CROSS K, HANNON E, DE BIE F, BLACKBURN S et al. The multi-disciplinary management of complex congenital and acquired tracheo-oesophageal fistulae. Pediatr Surg Int 2019; 35: 97-105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-018-4380-8

Published

2020-08-31

How to Cite

1.
Pérez-Martínez A, Molina-Caballero A, Goñi-Orayen C. Impaction of button batteries in the esophagus: a potentially fatal surgical emergency in infancy. An Sist Sanit Navar [Internet]. 2020 Aug. 31 [cited 2025 Dec. 7];43(2):255-60. Available from: https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/ASSN/article/view/80031

Issue

Section

Clinical notes

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.