Rural Emergency Medicine Podcast Episode 2: Esophageal Button Battery
Sep 9, 2017
A pediatric patient presents a daunting challenge with a lodged esophageal button battery in a rural emergency setting. The hosts share innovative strategies for managing the crisis, including a unique surgical technique using a Foley catheter. They discuss the symptoms of button battery ingestion and the critical importance of timely intervention. Personal stories reveal the passion and dedication of healthcare professionals in underserved areas, emphasizing the need for communication and collaboration in emergency medicine.
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Foley Catheter Battery Removal
- Treve Henwood shared a case of a toddler who swallowed a button battery stuck in the esophagus.
- Unable to transport the child in bad weather, they used a Foley catheter to remove the battery successfully in the ED.
Button Battery Ingestion Risks
- Only about 2.7% of button battery ingestions cause serious complications, which include burns and fistulas.
- Despite the low percentage, serious injuries can develop rapidly and must not be ignored.
Battery Damage Timing Insight
- Severity of esophageal button battery damage depends on battery charge, size, and duration lodged.
- Damage can occur in as little as two hours and is related to battery charge, not just pressure necrosis.