Battery Ingestion Research Articles

Sequelae of dawdled presentation of accidental buttonbattery ingestion – A case report on emerging hazard

Aim:To present a case report of button battery ingestion in a 1-year-old child brought after 16 h of ingestion.Methodology:The child was brought with complaints of button battery ingestion. X-ray of the chest with abdomenwas done to confirm position. An immediate rigid esophagoscopy was done and deformed leaking battery wasremoved from cricopharynx, leaving circumferential blackish slough with ulcer from 12 to 15 cm.Results:The child was under constant observation for monitoring complications. On day 5, feeding gastrostomywas done. On follow-up day 25, barium swallow showed no leakage or stricture formation. Day 45 follow-up uppergastrointestinal scopy revealed short segment stricture and was dilated with endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidedballoon. The child is thriving well and is under regular follow-up to track expected complications earlier.Conclusion:The increased marketing and use of lithium cells is responsible for the rise in incidence ofbutton battery ingestion. Button batteries are characterized by damage progression and a wide spectrum ofcomplications. Clinicians must do their best in early removal, avoiding and expecting delayed complications, andtreat as they arise. Afterall, prevention needs to be the prime goal.

Early Recognition and Management of Lithium Battery Ingestion in a 15-Month-Old

Early Recognition and Management of Lithium Battery Ingestion in a 15-Month-Old

High Area Deprivation Index Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Button Battery Ingestion in a Pediatric Cohort

High Area Deprivation Index Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Button Battery Ingestion in a Pediatric Cohort

Management of foreign body ingestion in adults: Time to STOP and rethink endoscopy

Abstract Background and study aims Foreign body ingestion is a common cause for Emergency Department presentation. In adults, foreign body ingestion is more common in patients with underlying psychiatric comorbidity, the elderly, alcohol intoxication, and in prisoners. This study reviewed the management of patients presenting to a tertiary hospital with foreign body ingestion. Patients and methods A retrospective review of patients presenting with foreign body ingestion to a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, was undertaken from January 2017 to December 2021. Data collected included patient demographics, type of foreign body, length of stay, imaging modalities, management strategies, and complications. High-risk ingestion was defined as sharp objects, length >5 cm, diameter >2.5 cm, button battery and/or magnet ingestion or esophageal as per international guidelines. Results A total of 157 presentations by 63 patients with foreign body ingestion occurred between 2017 and 2021 (50% male; median age 30 years). Of the patients, 56% had underlying psychiatric comorbidities. The majority of presentations occurred in prisoners (65%). The most commonly ingested objects were batteries (23%), alleged drug-containing balloons (17%), razor blades (16%), and miscellaneous (40%). High-risk ingestion occurred in approximately two-thirds of presentations. Conservative management was the most common approach in 55% of patients. Complications, defined as perforation, bowel obstruction or fistula formation, did not occur in this cohort despite more than half presenting with high-risk ingestions. Thirty-day re-presentation rates were high (31%) and that was most common in patients with intentional ingestion, underlying mental health disorders, and a documented history of self-harm. Conclusions Conservative management for patients presenting with recurrent high-risk foreign body ingestion was safe in appropriately selected cases. Re-presentation is common and poses significant challenges for health care providers.

Anatomic Considerations of esophageal button battery ingestion for outcomes and imaging

IntroductionButton batteries (BB) are a source of significant morbidity and mortality in young children. Little data is available regarding associations between esophageal impaction location and outcomes or need for surveillance imaging. MethodsAll patients treated at a single institution following BB ingestion between 2018 and 2022 were included for retrospective chart review. ResultsTwenty patients were treated at our institution BBs were located, or most significant damage observed, in the cervical esophagus (n = 10, 50 %), followed by thoracic esophagus (n = 6, 30 %), and abdominal esophagus (n = 4, 20 %). Patients with cervical esophageal impaction were younger (482 [370–866] days), than those with thoracic (1395 [871–2369] days) or abdominal esophageal impaction (2021.5 [1230.5–3419.5] days) (p = 0.003). Zargar Mucosal Injury Grade was significantly more severe in patients with cervical button battery impaction; 8/10 (80 %) had a ≥Grade IIIB injury, compared to 2/6 (33.3 %) thoracic impactions and 0/4 (0 %) abdominal impactions (p = 0.002). All patients who developed persistent esophageal stenosis (n = 6) had cervical battery impactions (6, 60 %, p = 0.015). Both TEFs (2/2) had anterior facing anode, while both (2/2) esophageal perforations had posterior. Only 1/20 (5 %) patients, and 1/7 (14.3 %) with serious complications, had a serious complication detected on routine, rather than clinically indicated follow-up surveillance. ConclusionsIn our population, cervical BB impaction occurred more frequently in younger children, was associated with more severe mucosal injury, and had higher risk of stenosis. Nearly all complications were detected on clinically indicated rather than postoperative surveillance imaging.

The use of honey in button battery ingestions: a systematic review.

Button battery (BB) ingestions may cause severe and possibly fatal complications, especially if the battery is located in the esophagus. The application of oral honey has recently been proposed by the National Capital Poison Center in the USA and in an ESPGHAN position paper in Europe, but clinical trials and experimental studies are limited. The goal of this systematic review was to analyze the evidence for this approach. A systematic review of clinical trials and experimental studies on the oral application of honey after BB ingestion in children was performed. Inclusion criteria according to the PICO format were patient age 0-18 years, ingestion of BB, oral administration of honey or other substances, all in vivo and in vitro studies, as well as reported complication rate, esophageal injury, and mortality. A manual search in the databases MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane was performed to identify relevant search terms to form the following queries and to construct the extensive search. Furthermore, the search was extended by using snowballing on the reports reference lists. The review is registered at Research Registry. The identifying number is reviewregistry1581. We found four publications that investigated the effects of honey after button battery ingestion. Three of these presented experimental in vitro and in vivo results and one reported a clinical retrospective study of 8 patients. Follow up studies are required to further elucidate the effectiveness of the treatment with honey. The time intervals in which the use of honey is effective is not clear. Furthermore, a physiological model is needed for in vitro testing, preferably mimicking peristalsis and dynamic flow of the applied substances. However, since it is easy to apply and of minimal risk in patients over one year of age, honey should be considered a possible treatment option during the interval between presentation and endoscopic removal of the retained BB. https://www.researchregistry.com/browse-the-registry#registryofsystematicreviewsmeta-analyses/registryofsystematicreviewsmeta-analysesdetails/643e9df96750410027ee11b0/, identifier: reviewregistry1581.

Evaluation of Physicians' Knowledge About Honey/Sucralfate Treatments in Children With Button Battery Ingestion.

Ingestion of button batteries (BBs) causes serious mortality and morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the knowledge level of physicians working in pediatric emergency departments about the updated guidelines for BB ingestion and whether they used honey and sucralfate, which have proven positive effects in preventing mucosal damage, in their daily practice. A "Google Form" questionnaire was prepared and used to evaluate the approach of physicians who worked in pediatric emergency department with questions about pediatric patients who were admitted with the suspicion of BB swallowing. A total of 263 physicians, 169 women (64.3%), with a mean age of 34.5 ± 7.3 years, participated in the study. Seventy-five percent of the participants were from tertiary care hospitals, and 60.8% had less than 5 years of pediatric emergency experience. Some 71.9% of the physicians who participated in the survey (n = 189) had no algorithm at their hospitals. Fifty-eight percent (n = 152) of the participants completely and correctly answered all our survey questions about battery swallowing. Fifty-eight (22.1%) of the participants administered sucralfate, and 12.2% (n = 32) used honey treatments in patients who swallowed BBs; 68.1% (n = 179) had never heard of the use of sucralfate, and 77.6% (n = 204) had never heard of honey applications before in the management of swallowed batteries. It was determined that the physicians who managed pediatric battery swallowing cases had deficiencies in their treatment approaches, they had no protocol in their institutions, and the use of mucosal damage mitigation and neutralization treatments, such as honey and sucralfate, was insufficient.

Home Therapies to Neutralize Button Battery Injury in a Porcine Esophageal Model

Button battery ingestion can cause alkaline esophageal injury. There is interest in first-aid household products to neutralize the injury. The objective was to investigate which household products are effective at reducing button battery injury. Two cadaveric porcine experiments were performed. Experiment 1 utilized esophageal mucosal segments. A button battery (3VCR2032) was placed onto the mucosa, and substances (saline control, honey, jam, orange juice, yogurt, milk, and cola) were applied every 10 minutes for 6 applications. Tissue pH was measured every 10 minutes, and macroscopic ulceration size was assessed at 120 minutes. Experiment 2 used an intact esophageal model with a battery inserted into the lumen and jam, honey, and saline irrigation as per experiment 1. Tissue pH, macroscopic and histopathology changes were evaluated at 60, 90 and 120 minutes. In experiment 1, only honey and jam had a lower mean tissue pH at 120 minutes (8.0 [standard deviation [SD] 0.9, n=12] and 7.1 [SD 1.7, n=12], respectively) compared to saline solution 11.9 (SD 0.6, n=6, P<.0001). Both honey (0.24 cm2, SD 0.17) and jam (0.37 cm2, SD 0.40) had smaller mean areas of ulceration compared to saline solution (3.90 cm2, SD 1.03, P<.0001). In experiment 2, honey and jam had significantly lower mean tissue pH at all timepoints compared to saline solution. Histologic changes were evident at 60 minutes in the saline group, whereas honey and jam exhibited no or minimal changes until 120 minutes. Honey and jam were able to neutralize injury caused by a button battery resulting in a smaller area of ulceration. Jam should be further explored as a possible first-aid option as an alternative to honey in suspected button battery ingestion prior to definitive management.

Isolated tracheo-esophageal fistula in children: Analysis of a large multicentric series and proposal of a comprehensive treatment algorithm

BackgroundIsolated tracheo-esophageal fistulas (TEF) are rare and challenging, possibly leading to severe complications. We evaluated the outcomes in a large series of patients treated in 9 referral Centers for airway surgery, and suggested an ideal management algorithm. MethodsA multicentric retrospective study on TEF was performed. Results186 cases were collected. Among 101 patients with recurrent TEF after EA repair, 1 was treated successfully with thoracoscopy, 23 with open surgery with TEF division and tissue interposition, with 15 complete resolution (65 %), 2 TEF recurrence (9 %) and 6 other complications (26 %), and 77 received TCA endoscopic cauterization, with complete resolution in 61 (79 %). Among 54 patients with congenital H-type fistula, 1 received conservative treatment with resolution; 4 underwent thoracoscopy (50 % resolution); 6 had endoscopic cauterization (33 % resolution); 44 received open surgery, with 43 (98 %) successes. In the last group, the majority of TEF was ligated and divided with tissue interposition. Among 26 post-traumatic fistulas (mechanical trauma, battery or caustic ingestion), 6 patients received endoscopic procedure and 5 of them (83 %) reached complete resolution. The other 19 received open surgery (trans-tracheal direct FTE closure with tracheal resection), and 12 had complete resolution (63 %). Two patients eventually died and complication rate was 23 %. Other 5 cases (3 Bronchial-Esophageal Fistulas and 2 TEF after cleft repair) were treated endoscopically or with open approach. ConclusionEndoscopic cauterization can be the preferred treatment for recurrent TEF after EA, while for the congenital H-type and post-traumatic TEF the open approach remains our first choice.

Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies/harmful materials in children from Bahrain: A retrospective cohort study.

Children like to discover their environment by putting substances in their mouths. This behavior puts them at risk of accidentally ingesting foreign bodies (FBs) or harmful materials, which can cause serious morbidities. To study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, complications, management, and outcomes of accidental ingestion of FBs, caustics, and medications in children. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all children admitted for accidental ingestion to the Department of Pediatrics, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between 2011 and 2021. Demographic data, type of FB/harmful material ingested, and investigations used for diagnosis and management were recorded. The patients were divided into three groups based on the type of ingested material (FBs, caustics, and medications). The three groups were compared based on patient demographics, socioeconomic status (SES), symptoms, ingestion scenario, endoscopic and surgical complications, management, and outcomes. The FB anatomical location was categorized as the esophagus, stomach, and bowel and compared with respect to symptoms. The Fisher's exact, Pearson's χ2, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparison. A total of 161 accidental ingestion episodes were documented in 153 children. Most children were boys (n = 85, 55.6%), with a median age of 2.8 (interquartile range: 1.8-4.4) years. Most participants ingested FBs (n = 108, 70.6%), 31 (20.3%) ingested caustics, and the remaining 14 (9.2%) ingested medications. Patients with caustic ingestion were younger at the time of presentation (P < 0.001) and were more symptomatic (n = 26/31, 89.7%) than those who ingested medications (n = 8/14, 57.1%) or FBs (n = 52/108, 48.6%) (P < 0.001). The caustic group had more vomiting (P < 0.001) and coughing (P = 0.029) than the other groups. Most FB ingestions were asymptomatic (n = 55/108, 51.4%). In terms of FB location, most esophageal FBs were symptomatic (n = 14/16, 87.5%), whereas most gastric (n = 34/56, 60.7%) and intestinal FBs (n = 19/32, 59.4%) were asymptomatic (P = 0.002). Battery ingestion was the most common (n = 49, 32%). Unsafe toys were the main source of batteries (n = 22/43, 51.2%). Most episodes occurred while playing (n = 49/131, 37.4%) or when they were unwitnessed (n = 78, 57.4%). FBs were ingested more while playing (P < 0.001), caustic ingestion was mainly due to unsafe storage (P < 0.001), and medication ingestion was mostly due to a missing object (P < 0.001). Girls ingested more jewelry items than boys (P = 0.006). The stomach was the common location of FB lodgment, both radiologically (n = 54/123, 43.9%) and endoscopically (n = 31/91, 34%). Of 107/108 (99.1%) patients with FB ingestion, spontaneous passage was noted in 54 (35.5%), endoscopic removal in 46 (30.3%), laparotomy in 5 (3.3%) after magnet ingestion, and direct laryngoscopy in 2 (1.3%). Pharmacological therapy was required for 105 (70.9%) patients; 79/105 (75.2%) in the FB group, 22/29 (75.9%) in the caustic group, and 4/14 (28.8%) in the medication group (P = 0.001). Omeprazole was the commonly used (n = 58; 37.9%) and was used more in the caustic group (n = 19/28, 67.9%) than in the other groups (P = 0.001). Endoscopic and surgical complications were detected in 39/148 (26.4%) patients. The caustic group had more complications than the other groups (P = 0.036). Gastrointestinal perforation developed in the FB group only (n = 5, 3.4%) and was more with magnet ingestion (n = 4) than with other FBs (P < 0.001). In patients with FB ingestion, patients aged < 1 year (P = 0.042), those with middle or low SES (P = 0.028), and those with more symptoms at presentation (P = 0.027) had more complications. Patients with complications had longer hospital stays (P < 0.001) than those without. Accidental ingestion in children is a serious condition. Symptomatic infants from middle or low SES families have the highest morbidity. Prevention through parental education and government legislation is crucial.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula Closure in a Pediatric Patient Using a Supraclavicular Artery Island Flap.

Acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas can lead to large defects with fatal complications. Surgical management is challenging but necessary to prevent respiratory infections and poor weight gain. Therefore, a reliable and pliable flap like the pedicled supraclavicular artery island flap with its wide arc of rotation and robust vascularization is needed for reconstruction. We highlight the surgical technique and postoperative measures in managing a tracheoesophageal fistula due to button battery ingestion in a 9-month-old boy with the supraclavicular artery island flap. In summary, the supraclavicular artery island flap is a safe and successful tool for closure of large acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas in pediatric patients.

Can We Do Anything Else before Removing a Button Battery from the Esophagus?-Hyaluronic Acid.

This article tests the protective effect of a commercially available mixture of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and poloxamer 407 on the damage caused by the exposure of esophageal mucosa to button batteries in an animal model. Experimental study. Sixty porcine esophageal samples were distributed in three groups: control (CG), exposure (EG), and exposure-protection (EPG). In EG and EPG, one CR2032 button battery per sample was inserted, both were subdivided into 2-, 4-, 6-, and 24-hour exposure subgroups, with subsequent battery removal. EPG samples were irrigated with the solution 1 hour after battery exposure. Esophageal pH and final voltage of the battery were measured. pH in CG remained stable. No significant differences in pH at 1 hour were found between EG and EPG. In EPG, the pH of the mucosa exposed to the anode was lower than in GE at 2 hours (12.44 vs. 11.89, p = 0.203) and 4 hours (13.78 vs. 11.77, p < 0.0001). In the cathode pH was significantly higher in EG at 2 hours (2.5 vs. 4.11, p < 0.0001), 4 hours (2.33 vs. 4.78, p < 0.0001), and 6 hours (2.17 vs. 2.91, p < 0.0001). Significant voltage reduction at 1 hour was found in EG compared to EPG (0.48 vs. 1.08 V, p = 0.004). Exposure to hyaluronic acid solution buffers the acidification on the side exposed to the cathode and basification on the anode. This effect can be maintained up to 3 to 5 hours, even after stopping its application. Our results suggest that a solution containing hyaluronic acid could be used as an esophageal protector after accidental ingestion of button batteries.

Role of Endoscopic Procedure in Foreign Body (Button Battery) Ingestion in Children: A Case Report

Abstract: Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common problem especially in children below the age of 5 years. Due to the extensive use of batteries as power supply in electronic gadgets, cases of button battery ingestion have become more common. If a button battery was found in the stomach of a child under the age of five, it should be assessed for esophageal injury and removed endoscopically, if at all possible, within 24 to 48 hours. We reported a 3-year-old boy who swallowed a foreign body three hours before being admitted to the hospital. Initially the patient was playing with robot toys that used batteries, then a battery of the robots was accidently swallowed. The patient had no symptoms and physical examinations showed no abnormalities. Abdominal X-ray examination revealed a foreign body located in the stomach. The patient underwent endoscopic foreign body removal but no foreign body was found until the second part of duodenum. Therefore, an exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the foreign body, a button battery, was removed from the ileum. In conclusion, since endoscopic foreign body removal failed to remove the foreign body in this patient, an exploratory laparotomy was performed and through antimesenterial ileotomy, the foreign body, a button battery, was successfully removed. Keywords: foreign body; endoscopic foreign body removal; exploratory laparotomy

Severe post-pyloric injury after button battery ingestion: Systematic literature review and case report

BackgroundThe health and safety hazards related to button batteries (BB) have been extensively studied, highlighting that the presence of a button battery in the esophagus is a life-threatening emergency. However, complications related to bowel BB are poorly evaluated and not well known. The objective of this review of the literature was to describe severe cases of BB that have passed the pylorus. Case reportThis case, from the PilBouTox cohort, is the first report of small-bowel occlusion following ingestion of an LR44 BB (diameter: 11.4 mm) by a 7-month-old infant with a history of intestinal resections. In this case, the BB was ingested without a witness. The initial presentation mimicked acute gastroenteritis evolving into hypovolemic shock. An X-ray revealed a foreign body stuck in the small bowel causing an intestinal occlusion and local necrosis without perforation. The patient's history of intestinal stenosis and intestinal surgery were the contributing factor of impaction. Systematic literature reviewThe review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. The research was conducted on September 12, 2022 through five database and the U.S. Poison Control Center website. An additional 12 severe cases of intestinal or colonic injury after ingestion of a single BB were identified. Of these, 11 were related to small BBs (< 15 mm) that impacted Meckel's diverticulum and one was related to postoperative stenosis. ConclusionIn view of the findings, the indications for digestive endoscopy for extraction of a BB in the stomach should include a history of intestinal stenosis or intestinal surgery so as to avoid delayed intestinal perforation or occlusion and prolonged hospitalization.

Clinical characteristics and serious complications of esophageal button battery ingestion in the pediatric on 83 cases

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and complications of esophageal foreign bodies of button battery ingestion in children. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study included 83 children who were hospitalized in our hospital on account of button battery ingestion from January 2011 to December 2021. There were 50 males (60.2%) and 33 females (39.8%). The age ranged from 7.6 months to one month off 10 years, with a median age of 18 months. The data of patient demographics and time from ingestion to admission, location, symptoms, management, complications, and follow-up outcome were recorded. SPSS17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Seventy-two children (86.7%) were younger than 3 years old. The time from ingestion to admission ranged from 1 h to 2 months, with a median time of 8 h. Among the 63 children who were first diagnosed in our hospital, the most common clinical symptoms were nausea and vomiting (32 cases, 50.8%), dysphagia (31 cases, 49.2%), salivation (11 cases, 17.5%) and fever (10 cases, 15.9%). Seventy-three of 83 cases had complete preoperative diagnostic tests, and 55 cases (75.3%) were diagnosed by X-ray. In 56 cases (76.7%), the foreign badies were impacted in the upper third of esophagus. In 72 cases (86.7%), the foreign badies were removed by rigid esophagoscopy. 23 (27.7%) had serious complications, including tracheoesophageal fistula in 15 cases(TEF;65.2%), vocal cord paralysis (VCP;34.8%) in 8 cases, esophageal perforation in 3 cases (EP;13.0%), hemorrhage in 3 cases(13.0%), mediastinitis in 3 cases (13%), and periesophageal abscess in 1 case (4.3%). There were significant differences in the exposure time of foreign bodies and unwitnessed ingestion by guardians in the complications group (P<0.05). 2 cases died (2.4%)respectively due to arterial esophageal fistula bleeding and respiratory failure caused by stent displacement during the treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula. Conclusion: Accidental button battery ingestion can be life-threatening. and it mostly happens in children under 3 years old. Serious complications may happen cause of non-specific clinical manifestations and unwitnessed ingestions. Anterior and lateral chest X-ray is the first examination choice. Tracheoesophageal fistula is the most common serious complication.

Button battery ingestion in a child: is it always necessary to perform urgent endoscopy?

Button battery ingestion in a child: is it always necessary to perform urgent endoscopy?

Spondylodiscitis following ingestion of button battery in an infant-a case-based update.

Button battery ingestion in infants is an increasingly common surgical emergency which can lead to oesophageal perforation, mediastinitis, trachea-oesophageal fistulation, airway compromise and death. One exceedingly rare complication of battery ingestion is discitis and osteomyelitis in the cervical and upper thoracic spine. Diagnosis is normally delayed due to the non-specific presentation, delayed imaging findings and the initial clinical focus on dealing with the immediate, and potentially life-threatening, complications. We describe a case of a 1-year-old girl who presented with haematemesis and an oesophageal injury, secondary to button battery ingestion. Sagittal reconstruction of the CT chest demonstrated a suspicious area of vertebral erosion in the cervicothoracic spine which prompted a further evaluation with MRI demonstrating spondylodiscitis of C7-T2 with vertebral erosion and collapse. The child was successfully treated with long course of antibiotics. We wish to highlight the importance of clinical and radiological spinal assessment in children with button battery ingestion to avoid delayed diagnosis and complications of spinal osteomyelitis.

Research progress of button battery ingestion in children

纽扣电池是儿童食管异物中一类非常特殊的异物，因其具有较强的腐蚀性，可导致严重并发症和较高的病死率，早期的诊治及预防成为减少损伤、避免并发症的主要策略。其吞入2 h内即可导致明显的腐蚀性损伤，甚至在取出后损伤仍可持续，出现严重的延迟并发症甚至死亡。近年来国外对于纽扣电池摄入在取出前的黏膜保护措施以及取出后的中和缓解策略得到认同和推广。国内对于本病的认识严重不足，一些观点过于陈旧，防治策略不完善。本文从流行病学、损伤机制、临床表现、围手术期管理、缓解策略及预防等方面进行综述，旨在关注纽扣电池食管异物的综合管理，预防为主，降低并发症发生。.

Button Battery Ingestion in Children: A Dangerous Foreign Body

Pediatric morbidity and mortality related to button battery ingestion has increased since the introduction of lithium batteries inside common household electronics. Larger-diameter button batteries are more likely to result in esophageal impaction in children < 6 years old, resulting in tissue damage. Updated 2018 treatment recommendations include administering honey en route to the hospital for children > 1 year of age and the injection of acetic acid after the removal of the battery. In 2022, legislation was signed into law requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to implement specific consumer product safety standards on products that use button batteries.

“Fighting for the Last Gasp”—Severe Borderline Personality Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Chronic Deliberate Ingestion of Foreign Bodies, and Palliative Struggles in Intensive Care

Repeated deliberate ingestion of foreign bodies can have tragic long-term consequences. We report the case of a young woman with borderline personality disorder and chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, whose chronic repeated ingestion of razor blades and batteries eventually resulted in severe medical complications. We focus on the involvement of the consultation-liaison psychiatry team as part of her multidisciplinary care, predominantly in the intensive care environment. Her care posed extensive challenges due to the retraumatizing effects of the intensive care environment and the measures required to provide life-sustaining care when the young woman was emotionally dysregulated. Strategies used to address team dynamics and "compassion fatigue" are discussed, including some pertinent relevant literature that was used as educational material for staff to develop a better understanding of the confronting and apparently self-defeating antitherapeutic behavior she frequently displayed. The consultation-liaison psychiatry team has a significant role to play in such situations, carefully balancing patient advocacy roles while simultaneously supporting staff who may be vicariously traumatized by the substantial emotional challenges of providing care in these circumstances.