What strategy has been suggested that may slow the progression of tissue injury after button battery ingestion?
According to the cited reference, administration of honey 10mL (2 teaspoons) every 10 minutes for up to 6 doses can slow progression of tissue injury prior to definitive treatment. Of note, Carafate given in clinical settings has also been shown to reduce injury severity and improve patient outcomes. Both treatments work by neutralizing tissue pH increases and lowering the risk of esophageal burns. In all cases, It’s essential to seek emergency treatment right away because honey is not a substitute for the immediate removal of a button battery.
Anfang RR, Jatana KR, Linn RL, Rhoades K, Fry J, Jacobs IN. “pH-neutralizing esophageal irrigations as a novel mitigation strategy for button battery injury,” The Laryngoscope, online June 11, 2018.; Jatana KR, Rhoades K, Milkovich S, Jacobs IN. Basic mechanism of button battery ingestion injuries and novel mitigation Laryngoscope. 2017;127(6):1276-1282. doi:10.1002/lary.26362strategies after diagnosis and removal.