Button battery ingestions. A review of 56 cases
T. L. Litovitz
A retrospective analysis of 56 button (miniature) battery ingestions was
conducted. This represents the largest series in the literature studying
this problem. Impaction of these foreign bodies, most frequently in the
esophagus (five cases), was a uniform predictor of severe morbidity. In the
remaining 51 cases, the battery traversed the esophagus without incident;
only four of these ingestions produced symptoms, and there was only one
case with any severe complications. In 33 asymptomatic patients, the
battery passed spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract. Fourteen
patients underwent endoscopic or operative procedures or both despite the
absence of symptoms. Unanticipated mucosal erosions were noted in seven of
these patients, although no symptoms or sequelae developed. Initial chest
roentgenogram and observation for symptoms will detect ingestors at risk of
complications. Operative or endoscopic intervention should be withheld in
the absence of these clinical indicators. Button batteries can routinely be
allowed to pass spontaneously.
