The effect of corticosteroids and pentoxifylline in caustic esophageal burns. A prospective trial in rats.
BACKGROUND
Caustic Esophageal Burns (CEB) usually results in scatritial tissue and stricture formation. Management requires preventing the massive inflammatory process that ensues in its early phase and decreasing bacterial complications.


METHODS
An animal model was created to investigate the effect of corticosteroids and pentoxifylline in CEB using 52 male Wistar rats. The injury was produced using an indwelling esophageal catheter through which 3N of 12% sodium hydroxide was infused. The rats were grouped as control, CEB, CEB and ceftazidime (CEB-C, 100 mg/kg/day im. bid. 10 days), CEB and ceftazidime plus dexamethasone (CEB-CD, 0.1 mg/kg/day im. bid. 4 weeks) and CEB and ceftazidime plus pentoxifylline (CEB-CP, 50 mg/kg/day im. tid. 4 weeks). The groups were evaluated making use of esophagograms, hydroxyproline (OH-P) contents and histologic examination of the specimens 28 days after injury.


RESULTS
No significant statistical differences were observed among the dexamethasone (CEB-CD), pentoxifylline (CEB-CP), antibiotics (CEB-C) and the untreated CEB groups.
Cakmak
M
M
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Turkey.
Nayci
A
A
Renda
N
N
Erekul
S
S
Gökçora
H
H
Yücesan
S
S
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010431:Pentoxifylline