Rare case of spontaneous closure of tracheo-esophageal fistula secondary to disc battery ingestion

Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies by children is not an uncommon event. Now a day, with increasing accessibility of electronic toys and devices to the children, ingestion of miniature size batteries is on the rise [J. Am. Med. Assoc., 249, (1983) 2495]. Unlike the usual foreign bodies. ingestion of button alkaline batteries may be associated with serious complications if not removed early [Am. J. Otolaryngol., 21 (2000) 333]. We report a rare and interesting case, in which a child developed tracheo-esopbageal fistula secondary to disc battery ingestion. and importantly, its conservative management resulting in its spontaneous closure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.