[size=20px]An ill appearing toddler is evaluated in the emergency department two days after ingesting a disc battery. A chest radiograph reveals the battery impacted in the esophagus and a right hydropneumothorax. At endoscopy, the battery is retrieved and an acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is suspected. Which of the following regarding disc battery ingestion is true?

 

A Emergent TEF repair is required.

B The likelihood of complications is related to the size of the battery ingested.

C Emergent retrieval is indicated for ingested batteries in the small intestine.

D The incidence of serious complications due to disc battery ingestion is decreasing.

E Most batteries are ingested after being left outside of their intended devise[/size]

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B The likelihood of complications is related to the size of the battery ingested.

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Batteries lodged in the esophagus cause damage by generating a current that causes electrolysis of tissue fluids. Batteries less than 15 mm in diameter are unlikely to lodge in the esophagus. There has been a six fold increase in the number of major complications related to disc battery ingestion in the last fifteen years with 20 mm lithium batteries now responsible for most esophageal injuries.