Yatharth Hospital Successfully Performs Complex Life-Saving Surgery on 10-Month-Old Infant After Button Battery Ingestion

Noida : In a remarkable medical achievement, the Pediatric Surgery team at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida 110, successfully treated a 10-month-old infant suffering from severe complications caused by accidental ingestion of a button battery.
Master Yuvraj, a 10-month-old child, was brought to Yatharth Hospital with complaints of severe cough and repeated choking while feeding. Detailed investigations revealed the presence of a large round foreign body lodged in his neck region. An emergency endoscopic procedure was performed, during which doctors discovered a button battery stuck in the esophagus.

Further examination revealed that the battery had caused extensive damage to both the esophagus and the trachea, creating an abnormal communication between the two structures. To ensure adequate nutrition while minimizing further complications, the medical team initially performed a feeding jejunostomy. Despite these efforts, the child required hospitalization on two separate occasions due to recurrent episodes of pneumonia.

After two months of careful monitoring and treatment, follow-up investigations confirmed that the tracheoesophageal communication remained significant. Considering the serious risk to the child's health and future development, the parents were counselled regarding the need for a complex reconstructive surgery.

The highly challenging procedure lasted nearly three hours and involved meticulous separation of the esophagus from the trachea, followed by repair of the damaged structures. The surgery was successfully performed by the Pediatric Surgery team led by Dr. Jai Bharat Panwar, Senior Consultant – Pediatric Surgery, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida 110.

Following the surgery, the child showed steady recovery and was discharged in stable condition after postoperative care. He is now able to feed safely and continues to recover well under medical supervision.

Medical experts emphasize that button battery ingestion is a serious pediatric emergency. When swallowed, these batteries can cause rapid tissue damage, burns, perforation, and life-threatening complications within hours. Parents are advised to keep batteries and other small objects out of children's reach and seek immediate medical attention if ingestion is suspected.

Dr. Jai Bharat Panwar, Senior Consultant – Pediatric Surgery, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida 110, "Button battery ingestion is one of the most dangerous emergencies in children as it can cause severe burns and irreversible damage within a very short time. In Master Yuvraj's case, the battery had already caused significant injury to the esophagus and trachea, making the surgery extremely challenging. Careful planning, multidisciplinary support, and timely intervention helped us successfully repair the damaged structures and restore normal function. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and immediate medical attention whenever foreign body ingestion is suspected in children."

Father of the patient said, "We are immensely grateful to Dr. Jai Bharat Panwar and the entire Yatharth 110 team for saving our child's life. Their expertise, dedication, and compassionate care gave our family hope during an extremely difficult time."