ABSTRACT
A1 A Objects found within the oesophagus should generally be considered impacted. Because impacted oesophageal foreign bodies may lead to significant morbidity (and even mortality), removal of impacted oesophageal foreign bodies is mandatory. Batteries located in the oesophagus should be removed urgently because of the risk of oesophageal burns and resultant complications. The procedure of choice is flexible fibreoptic endoscopy. Most swallowed foreign bodies pass harmlessly through the GI tract once they have reached the stomach. Button (disc) batteries in the stomach or intestines do not need to be removed immediately, as they generally pass through the lower GI tract without difficulty. Button batteries retained in the stomach or at a fixed spot in the intestines should be removed. The ingestion of multiple magnets may lead to the development of pressure necrosis and subsequent perforation as the opposite poles of the magnets will become attracted to one another. This may be particularly true when the magnets are ingested at intervals. However, a single magnet poses no such risk and should spontaneously pass.
