Tracheoesophageal fistula following button battery ingestion in an infant: Airway management considerations

A 13-month-old infant was admitted to hospital approximately 3 weeks after ingestion of a button battery, which was lodged in the esophagus and had caused a tracheoesophageal fistula requiring mechanical ventilation. Since the battery had partially penetrated into the tracheal lumen just above the carina and also was in direct contact with the pulmonary artery, extensive considerations regarding airway and circulatory management were required preoperatively, which are presented and discussed in this case report.