Button battery aspiration in children: Our experiences in a tertiary care teaching hospital of eastern India

Background
Aspiration of button battery in children is increasing in recent years due to more accessibility of electronic toys to the children. The electrochemical composition of button battery may cause extensive damage. It should be promptly and immediately removed otherwise it leads to complications and death.

Objective
To study the clinical presentations and outcome of the button battery aspiration among the children. Study design: A retrospective study.

Methods
Six children those aspirated button battery and underwent rigid bronchoscopy with spontaneous ventilation and followed by removal from the tracheobronchial tree during December 2012 to January 2017.

Results
Button battery aspiration is common among male child in our study. All children were symptomatic after aspiration. One child came with stridor. The time interval between battery aspiration and attending hospital was 25.33 h. Out of 6 patients two showed button battery in left bronchus, three in right bronchus and one is near the carina. Average hospital stay was 3.16 days.

Conclusion
Early detection of such foreign bodies is essential to safe removal. Management approach has to be systematic. Preoperative history taking, radiological assessment followed by rapid intervention by skilled bronchoscopist usually results in favorable outcome.