Removal of Coin Cell Lithium Battery Lodged in the Pediatric Pharyngoesophageal Junction by Rigid Esophagoscopy; a Case Report

A coin cell lithium battery is a common foreign body that can become lodged in the pediatric pharyngoe-sophageal junction. Because the voltage of such batteries is relatively high, their rapid removal is necessaryto avoid mucosal necrosis. Despite being the initial choice for removal, flexible endoscopy cannot remove suchforeign bodies from the esophagus. Various removal methods, including rigid esophagoscopy, should be con-sidered for removing lithium coin cell batteries. The transcervical approach is feasible for removing esophagealforeign bodies, but it carries the risk of complications such as esophageal stenosis. Here we report a case oflithium coin battery ingestion that was successfully removed using a rigid esophagoscope. A 2-year-old girl wasreferred to a local doctor with cough and general fatigue. Chest X-ray and flexible endoscopy revealed a coin celllithium battery stuck in the pharyngoesophageal junction, but it could not be removed. The foreign body wasremoved using Nishihata forceps through a rigid esophagoscope under general anesthesia.