Complications of caustic ingestion.
The use of steroid and antibiotic prophylaxis no longer is tenable on the basis of recent studies showing their inability to favorably influence the outcome of caustic injuries. The need for early endoscopic and radiologic assessment if not gastroesophagectomy for severe injuries now is the management of choice. Further efforts to identify high-risk populations and efforts to educate them of the dangers must continue.
Arif
A
A
Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, NJ 07112.
Karetzky
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002424:Caustics / Q000506:poisoning*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000506:poisoning*
D002424:Caustics; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide