Description
Contributor: Aaron Lessen MD
Educational Pearls:
Button batteries cause alkaline corrosion and erosion of the esophagus when swallowed
Children swallow button batteries, which create a medical emergency as they can perforate the esophagus
A recent study compared various home remedies as first-aid therapy for button battery ingestion
Honey, jam, normal saline, Coca-Cola, orange juice, milk, and yogurt
The study used a porcine esophageal model to assess resistance to alkalinization with the different home remedies
Honey and jam demonstrated a significantly lower esophageal tissue pH compared with normal saline
Histologic changes in the tissue samples appeared 60 minutes later with honey and jam compared with normal saline
These treatments do not preclude medical intervention and battery removal
References
1. Chiew AL, Lin CS, Nguyen DT, Sinclair FAW, Chan BS, Solinas A. Home Therapies to Neutralize Button Battery Injury in a Porcine Esophageal Model. Ann Emerg Med. 2023:1-9. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.08.018
Summarized by Jorge Chalit, OMSII | Edited by Meg Joyce & Jorge Chalit
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