Jerusalem Boy Survives Emergency Surgery After Swallowing Button Battery

An 8-and-a-half-year-old boy from Jerusalem underwent two emergency surgeries at Hadassah Medical Center after swallowing a button battery during summer vacation. The incident began when the boy, playing with a drawing tablet at home, removed the battery and left it on the kitchen counter. About half an hour later, out of curiosity, he put the battery in his mouth and accidentally swallowed it. His parents immediately sought medical help after unsuccessful attempts to induce vomiting.

At Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, the medical team acted swiftly, recognizing the urgency as button batteries can cause severe chemical burns in the esophagus within minutes. Dr. Mordechai Slei, head of the gastroenterology unit, administered honey to neutralize the battery's pH and reduce damage while preparing for surgery. The first operation successfully removed the battery, but due to the severity of the burns, a second surgery was performed to prevent life-threatening complications such as esophageal rupture into the aorta.

Professor Eli Allen Sharaf, director of the pediatric cardiac surgery center, explained that without preventive surgery, the child could have faced fatal bleeding or lifelong disability from infections. The medical team emphasized that even after battery removal, tissue damage can progress, requiring close follow-up. The boy is currently recovering at Hadassah.

The parents hope their experience will raise awareness among other families about the dangers of button batteries and the importance of immediate hospital care if ingestion is suspected. Hadassah doctors warn against waiting for the battery to pass naturally and stress urgent evaluation and treatment to prevent severe injury or death.