title: The oral implications of caustic soda ingestion in children.
abstract: The morbidity related to caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) ingestion is well described in the literature. The majority of publications have concentrated on the effects to the trachea and gastrointestinal tract, with little reference to the oral and peri-oral areas. Accidental ingestion of sodium hydroxide-containing substances is fortunately rare; however the consequences can be devastating. Three cases of children who drank caustic substances are described. Treatment included fitting splints, injecting steroids, local surgical procedures, and the use of dynamic appliances to maintain mouth opening. Despite these interventions, all patients developed severe scarring, resulting in stenosis of the oral musculature and extra-articular ankylosis. There is perhaps a role for further investigation of early use of antiproliferative agents to prevent scarring, more aggressive surgery, and long-term physiotherapy appliance use. These patients require lifelong follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental and Maxillofacial Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK. fionaryan25@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Witherow
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ayliffe
mesh_terms: D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008865:Microstomia / Q000209:etiology; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000506:poisoning*; D014139:Tracheostomy
chemical_list: D012972:Sodium Hydroxide