Caustic ingestion

Abstract

Caustic and corrosive injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract can lead to significant morbidity and mortality with the development of upper gastrointestinal stricture or perforation. Household products containing alkalis, acids, and detergents are responsible for most injuries, with each having varying histological injury patterns and anatomic distribution. Early signs and symptoms after caustic ingestion are not consistent with the extent of damage, and endoscopy is the only reliable method to assess injury. Medical and surgical treatments are controversial and include steroids, antibiotics, esophageal dilation, stenting, and surgical reconstruction and are centered around prevention of esophageal strictures. Early diagnosis and prompt and aggressive treatment can improve long-term outcomes in these patients.