Post extubation stridor due to bilateral vocal cord palsy following button battery ingestion – A rare and forgotten complication of button battery ingestion in children

Abstract

We report a patient who developed bilateral vocal cord palsy following button battery ingestion. A two and half year old girl presented with a history of button battery ingestion. Rigid oesophagoscopy was performed within 3 hours. Patient developed post extubation stridor with respiratory distress. Bilateral vocal cord palsy is a rare complication of button battery ingestion which can lead to an airway catastrophe. Decision on timing of extubation is crucial to avoid immediate post operative respiratory distress. Expedited removal of lodged button battery, increased vigilance for possible complications and long term follow up is of utmost importance.