[Esophagogastric acute injury caused by a chemical agent]

Treatment of chemical agent ingestion remain controversial. The incidence of these episodes has increased over the several last decades due to a variety reasons.

To analyze the occurrence, complications and results of the treatment of chemically induced esophagogastric injury.

Twenty-one adult patients with chemically induced esophagogastric injury were retrospectively studied. The patients were admitted up to 23 days after ingestion of a chemical agent to the Emergency Department of Santa Casa of Sao Paulo University Hospital from August, in a 12-year period. The mean age was 32.1 years. Eleven patients were of the female gender, which attempted suicide. Soda was the most ingested agent (76.2%), muriatic acid was present in three cases (14.3%) followed by one case of sulfur acid and another one of ammonia (4.8% each).

Injuries of the Larynx and Pharynx were frequently associated with those of the esophagus, accounting for 18 cases (85.7%). Esophageal, gastric and duodenal injuries were assessed and classified according to endoscopic features. Five cases each of severe esophageal or gastric lesions were present.

Treatment and outcome varied and suggested placement of esophageal tube to be harmful. Global mortality rate was 28.6% with the highest rate related to esophageal injuries of the third degree.