Podcast #275: Battery Ingestions

Author: Nick Hatch, M.D.

Educational Pearls

• Unlike coin ingestions, button batteries can cause necrosis of the GI tract.
• If lodged in the esophagus, removal within 2 hours is important, because they can cause problems such as strictures or esophago-aortic fistula.
• If the battery is in the stomach or beyond, it may be ok to let it pass but give strict return precautions.
• Small hearing aid batteries are not as dangerous, but still require close follow-up to ensure the battery passes.
• Delayed effects (after passage of the battery) are possible.

References: https://www.poison.org/battery/guideline