[Incidence of stomach ruptures after ingestion of sodium bicarbonate-containing or carbonated beverages].
METHODS
Spontaneous rupture of the stomach is an uncommon condition with a usually poor prognosis. The questions of pathophysiologic factors and the possible role of carbonated or bicarbonate-containing beverages were addressed.


RESULTS
A review of the literature based on a search of MEDLINE (1966-1998) was performed. Using the key word 'stomach rupture', we found 675 publications. 279 publications dealt with etiologic factors 15 of which mentioned the ingestion of bicarbonate preparations. No record of carbonated or bicarbonate-containing beverages as a single etiologic factor could be found.


CONCLUSIONS
These beverages do not seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of stomach rupture, whereas in rare cases bicarbonate preparations can cause rupture of the previously overdistended stomach.
Gammelin
G
G
Forschungsinstitut für Balneologie und Kurortwissenschaft Bad Elster (Deutschland).
Resch
K L
KL
D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016239:MEDLINE; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013275:Stomach Rupture / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate