[Consequences of caustic damage of the esophagus]

Following ingestion of a highly concentrated acetic acid solution, three women aged 29, 23 and 25 years old, suffered damage to the oesophagus and the stomach, respiratory and renal insufficiency and haemolysis. After intensive treatment, gastric tube reconstruction was carried out in 2 of these patients, and the third woman required repeated dilatations of the oesophageal stricture from 6 weeks after ingestion onwards. This resulted in a normal passage of solid food in all women. A 58-year-old man who had ingested caustic soda at 4 years of age, presented with increasing problems associated with swallowing food. A squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed and treated with chemotherapy, oesophagus-cardia resection and gastric tube reconstruction. After 2 years the tumour has not recurred. Ingestion of corrosive substances can lead to serious damage of the gastrointestinal tract. Early endoscopy is important in establishing the extent of the injury. During the acute phase, intensive care admittance is often necessary and resection of the oesophagus is also necessary in some cases. Subsequent treatment can vary from endoscopic dilations to gastric tube reconstruction following resection of the oesophagus.