Corrosive injury to oro-pharynx and esophagus. Eighty-five consecutive cases.

Abstract

In 85 consecutive cases of ingestion of caustic material, 70 patients had oral burns, 29 incurred esophageal burns, and in three esophageal stricture developed, requiring repeated dilatation. Management involves early endoscopy to determine the extent of mucosal injury, antibiotics to reduce local or mediastinal infection, and steroids to prevent the chance for esophageal stricture.