Description

Litovitz et al reported guidelines for managing a pediatric patient who has swallowed a disc battery. A patient with a significant exposure should be monitored carefully. The authors are from Georgetown University, George Washington University, and University of Virginia.


 

Patient selection: disc battery ingestion known or suspected

 

Likely complications depend on where the battery caused damage.

 

Potential complications:

(1) ulceration with hemorrhage, which can be massive

(2) perforation

(3) mediastinitis

(4) peritonitis

(5) tracheosophageal fistula

(6) vocal cord paralysis

(7) tracheal stenosis or tracheomalacia

(8) aspiration pneumonia

(9) empyema

(10) lung abscess

(11) spondylodiscitis

(12) esophageal stricture

 

Complications may appear early or develop up to months later. Massive hemorrhage, perforation or fistula may be delayed up to 18 days after removal of the battery.

 


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