Therapeutic approach to ingested button-type batteries. Magnetic removal of ingested button-type batteries.

Button-type batteries ingested by 13 children were removed from the esophagus and the upper gastro-intestinal tract by means of the FE-EX® “OGTM-technique”. An initial radiogram from the nasopharynx to the anus was performed. We used the FE-EX® tube magnet with a cylindric Vacomax®/Vacodym® magnet. In all cases the button type battery was easily detected and retracted under fluoroscopic control with the magnet. All patients tolerated the procedure without subjective complaints and were discharged soon without a need of anesthesia, surgery/endoscopy or more radiography. The FE-EX® “OGTM” procedure is a relatively non-invasive approach to a potentially catastrophic pediatric problem.