A review of esophageal disc battery ingestions and a protocol for management.
OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with esophageal disc battery requiring endoscopic retrieval and describe a protocol for management.


METHODS
Retrospective medical chart review.


METHODS
Pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic retrieval of an esophageal disc battery over a 10-year period.


RESULTS
Ten pediatric patients had ingested an esophageal disc battery that required endoscopic removal. Three patients had minimal esophageal damage; the other 7 sustained severe and extensive esophageal damage involving the muscularis (n = 5) or developed a perforation (n = 2). One of these patients had an extensive injury that extended into the trachea resulting in a tracheoesophageal fistula. Two case reports are presented, outlining the management approach to esophageal perforations from esophageal battery ingestion.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe injury can occur rapidly following disc battery ingestion. A high index of suspicion for an esophageal disc battery is necessary to expeditiously diagnose this condition. Emergency endoscopic removal is necessary. We outline a protocol for the management of this hazardous problem.
Kimball
Stanley J
SJ
Department of General Surgery, Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Park
Albert H
AH
Rollins
Michael D
MD
Grimmer
Johannes Fredrik
JF
Muntz
Harlan
H
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004435:Eating; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male