What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a 12-month-old child who developed a hole between their esophagus and trachea after swallowing a lithium disc battery.
What They Found
A 12-month-old child developed a 5 mm esophagotracheal fistula after ingesting a lithium disc battery, with diagnosis delayed by 28 days. After receiving 17 hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions, each 60 minutes long at 2.2 bars, along with feeding through a nasogastric tube, the fistula completely closed.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients, this case suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy, when combined with nutritional support, could be a valuable treatment option for severe injuries like esophagotracheal fistulas caused by battery ingestion. It offers a potential path to healing for a rare but life-threatening complication.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, this study's findings cannot be broadly applied to other patients or situations.