The efficiency of sucralfate in corrosive esophagitis: a randomized, prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
Ingestion of a chemical agent is a serious problem, and several treatment protocols to prevent stricture formation have been proposed. We conducted a randomized prospective study to evaluate the effectiveness of oral intensive sucralfate plus conventional therapy compared to conventional therapy alone.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with stage 2b and 3 corrosive esophagitis admitted to our gastroenterology, general surgery and intensive care units between 2004 and 2007 were included. Patients were divided into two groups. The patients in the first group (n=8) received intensive sucralfate therapy plus conventional therapy, while the other group (n=7) received only conventional therapy. We performed upper endoscopic procedures on days: 0, 21, 45, 90 and 180 to identify the emergent complications.


RESULTS
In the first group, only one patient had stricture formation, allowing passage of a 9.2 mm endoscope and causing no dysphagia, on day 45. There was no progression in the stricture on follow-ups at the 3rd and 6th months. In the second group, 6 patients had stricture formation causing narrowing and dysphagia.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive sucralfate therapy may decrease the frequency of stricture formation in patients with advanced corrosive esophagitis. Further studies with large groups of patients are required to confirm our findings.
Department of Gastroenterology, Cukurova University, School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. yukselgumurdulu@hotmail.com
Yüksel
Y
Gümürdülü
Emre
E
Karakoç
Banu
B
Kara
Burçak Evren
BE
Taşdoğan
Cem Kaan
CK
Parsak
Gürhan
G
Sakman
D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013392:Sucralfate