Device for the removal of button batteries

Impression material lodged in the hypopharynx: A clinical report

Ingestion or aspiration of foreign objects may present as a significant complication with various common dental procedures. The most reported ingested or aspirated dental materials have included endodontic instruments and metal restorative and prosthetic materials, which can often be identified clinically and radiographically from their relative radiodensities. The authors present an unusual report of lodged impression material in the hypopharynx, which was not detectable radiographically.

Endoscopic retrieval of ingested magnets in children and role of magnetic retrievers

Background

Various high-powered magnetic toy sets constitute a major hazard as the small magnets can be easily swallowed or aspirated by young children. Multiple ingested magnets or the ingestion of a magnet with another metallic object can pose a serious threat as this may lead to bowel perforation, fistulation, intestinal volvulus, bowel obstruction and death.

Main body

Retrieval of ingested magnets from the stomach is routinely performed endoscopically but can become a painstaking quest involving many tedious attempts to secure the magnet(s). Historically, pre-routine endoscopy, magnetic retrievers were used under fluoroscopic control for the removal of metallic objects in the stomach. With the advent of endoscopic retrieval instruments, they fell out of favour and are no longer readily available on the market. Despite this, conventional endoscopic instruments are likely to be less effective than endoscopic-assisted magnetic retrievers due to confounding weak bonds which form between the metal retrieval device and the magnet.

Preoperative testing, and selection of the retrieval instrument with the strongest coupling effect with a magnet, might be beneficial. A simple, endoscopic-assisted magnetic retriever created in theatre can allow for more effective, time-efficient and safe removal of ingested magnets under direct vision.

Conclusion

Urgent removal of multiple ingested magnets or a single ingested magnet coupled with another ingested metallic object should be highlighted. Stricter implementation of a widespread ban over loose magnetic toys is needed. Standardised protocols for the surgical management of ingested magnets should be available in every hospital.

Predictors of nature of ingested foreign bodies in children & assessment of operative outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To examine sensitivity/specificity of history & radiology to identify ingested foreign body (FB) and develop a protocol for management of ingested FBs in paediatric patients; to assess outcomes of removal of lithium button battery foreign body (LBBFB).

METHODS

Retrospective review. Children presenting to ENT emergency with suspected FB ingestion underwent rigid esophagoscopy and FB removal. Average age, number of attempts, duration of ingestion, success rate, and complications were analysed.

RESULTS

Cases of coin/LBBFB ingestion: 916/70. Mean age: 5.8/2.03 years (p < 0.001). Average duration of ingestion: 37/9.5 h (p < 0.001). Patients below 3: 31.3/62.8% (p < 0.001). Suggestive history/radiological signs: 100%/100%, 75.7%/98.6% (p < 0.0001). Site of impaction cricopharynx: 60.3%/74.3% (p = 0.02). LBBFB group: Successful removal in 1st attempt: 66 (94.3%). Cases requiring multiple attempts due to impaction: 4 (5.7%). Parenteral steroids were administered before successful reattempt. No relation was found between duration of ingestion/impaction. Five (7.1%) cases developed complications. Average follow-up duration: 13.59 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Children <3 years with vague history of FB ingestion and suggestive chest x-ray should be sent urgently for FB removal. Parenteral pre-and postoperative short course steroid use may be considered to improve outcomes.

Systemic absorption of lithium following ingestion of a lithium button battery

Accidental ingestion of electrical batteries occurs commonly in children. This rarely is associated with severe morbidity and mortality.1,2 Significant symptoms can arise due to leakage of alkali or heavy metals from the battery after degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. The main heavy metal of concern in electrical batteries is mercury;3-6 this is the first report of ingestion of a lithium battery in a child associated with systemic absorption of lithium.