Citation

Soccorso G, Grossman O, Martinelli M, Marven SS, Patel K, Thomson M, Roberts JP. Arch. Dis. Child. 2012; 97(8): 746-747.

Affiliation

Paediatric Surgery Unit, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/archdischild-2012-301631

PMID

22550318

Abstract

Swallowed button batteries (BB) which remain lodged in the oesophagus are at risk of serious complications, particularly in young children. The authors report a 3-year-old child, who rapidly developed an oesophageal perforation, following the ingestion of a 20-mm lithium BB which was initially mistaken for a coin. A thoracotomy and T-tube management of the perforation led to a positive outcome. BBs (20 mm) in children should be removed quickly and close observation is required as the damage initiated by the battery can lead to a significant injury within a few hours.

Language: en