Experimental treatment of corrosive esophageal burns

Abstract

Summary Experimental lye burns of the esophagus were produced in 72 cats. Each cat was placed in one of four study groups: Control group; corticosteroid-treated group; group treated with intraluminal splint for 2 wk; and group treated with intraluminal splint for 3 wk. Severe esophageal stricture was observed in the first three groups at 2 wk, 4 wk, and 12 wk after lye burn. No differences in the degree of stricture was observed in control, corticosteroid-treated, or intraluminal-splint (2 wk) groups when comparing stricture formation at 2 and 12 wk after lye burn. In the group treated with an intraluminal splint for 3 wk, stenosis of the esophagus was 1% at 3 wk (at time of removal of splint). At 12 wk, the cats that survived and were killed showed no clinical evidence of esophageal obstruction, and gross examination of the burned area showed an overall stenosis of 3%. Except for a slight mural fibrosis, the histologic picture is that of a well-healed and normal-appearing esophageal tissue. These studies would suggest that treatment with an intraluminal esophageal splint for 3 wk after full-thickness esophageal lye burn would be an effective method of preventing stricture.