Corrosive substance ingestion: a review

Abstract

Patients who ingest caustic substances continue to pose difficult problems in diagnosis and management. Flexible endoscopy and radiological studies have helped to delineate the extent of damage caused by corrosives. Management techniques have been directed toward avoiding the development of esophageal strictures. Although a number of nonsurgical techniques are available, i.e., stenting, anticollagen agents, antibiotics, and corticosteroids none has been evaluated in well-controlled studies. In the future efforts should be made to evaluate adequately these management techniques. Public health efforts should be made to educate the public about the dangers of caustic substances so that their threat may be diminished.