Acid corrosive injury of stomach: management and long-term outcome

Abstract

Background: Acid corrosive injury to stomach is not uncommon in India due to easy availability. Corrosive ingestion results in significant morbidity. We present our experience in surgical management of such cases. The aims and objectives of this study to review the experience of surgical management of gastric corrosive injury and to assess long term outcome and functional results.Methods: This study was retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 23 cases of acid corrosive injury managed in a single surgical unit.Results: Median age was 31 years, male to female ratio was 12:11. Surgical procedures were tailored according to extent and degree of stricture. Posterior gastrojejunostomy was done in 8 (38.0%) cases, near total gastrectomy in 3 (14.3%) cases, total gastrectomy and Billroth I in 2 (9.5%) cases each. 4 cases were lost to follow up after preliminary feeding jejunostomy. 2 cases had mortality after feeding jejunostomy. 2 cases were managed successfully without active surgical intervention. All patients undergoing definitive procedure had good results in terms of nutritional status and symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction.Conclusions: The outcome of gastric stricture secondary to acid ingestion can be significantly improved by adequate preoperative preparation and planned approach depending upon type of injury.