Clinical features of corrosive ingestion.
OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical presentation after corrosive ingestion.


METHODS
A University Hospital.


METHODS
Prospective descriptive study.


METHODS
Corrosive ingestion patients were studied, from July 2000 to December 2002. Reasons for ingestion, symptoms, physical findings and routine investigations were recorded in a standard form. Data analysed using the descriptive statistical method.


RESULTS
There were 73 patients, 55 women and 18 men, median age 22 years, 48 (65.8%) of whom had ingested strong acid, 3 (4.1%) ingested strong alkali. Suicidal gesture was the most common reason for ingestion (89.2%). The amount of ingestion was less in accidental cases. Symptoms of nausea/vomiting, drooling and abdominal tenderness were associated with the amount of ingestion, while severity of lips, buccal mucosa and palate injuries was significantly related with strong corrosive agents (p < 0.05). Leucocytosis was found in patients who had symptoms of drooling, hoarseness, stridor and signs of mucosal slough or superficial ulcers (p < 0.05). Four required surgery. Two of them had esophago-gastrectomy. Twenty-one patients were followed-up, with the median follow-up time of 11 (1-28) months. One patient died from HIV infection. The rest were normal.


CONCLUSIONS
Drooling and oral mucosal slough or ulcers were significant findings and were related to the amount and strength of the corrosive substance ingested, respectively. To meet the goal of a holistic approach, attention must also be given to psychiatric management, and surgeons should provide a supportive role.
Havanond
Chittinad
C
Department of surgery, Faculty of Medicine Thammasart University, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002424:Caustics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D013405:Suicide
D002424:Caustics