Clinical features and treatment of corrosive esophagitis

Abstract

Purpose: The esophageal burns caused by corrosive substances are of great importance since they progress along with serious complications. Here, we have aimed to evaluate our 39 cases we followed up and treated in our clinic due to taking in corrosive substances according to their clinical characteristics and our treatment approaches. Materials and Methods: Thirty nine patients whose file records could be obtained and who were treated for corrosive esophagitis between January 2000 and December 2007 were included in our study. Clinical features and treatment of those cases were recorded and evaluated. Results: The intake rate of corrosive substances was higher in women. The amount of corrosive substance taken in was prominently higher in those having it for suicidal purposes compared to those having it by accident. According to their endoscopic features, 82.1% of the cases were found to have had endoscopic findings referred to as normal or grade 1. While ulcer grade 2-3 comprised 10.3% of all the cases, grade 4 comprised 7.7% of all the cases with severe burns. Conclusion: To stop the oral intake, performing an endoscopic evaluation and making a treatment plan in accordance with the endoscopy results for the patients applying the clinic in the early stage due to the intake of corrosive substances are of great importance in terms of preventing the complications likely to occur.