A tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare complication of disk battery ingestion that can occur if the battery lodges in the esophagus.
Risk factors:
(1) small child
(2) delayed removal
(3) negative pole of the battery against the anterior wall of the upper esophagus
Symptoms may include:
(1) food aspiration and/or aspiration pneumonia
(2) fever
(3) cyanosis
(4) coughing up food debris
Closure sometimes occurs spontaneously but often requires surgical closure (endoscopic, open).
Complications of surgical closure:
(1) injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve
(2) tracheal stenosis
(3) recurrent fistula
The patient should be followed for at least 6 months in order to detect late complications.
