Development of a standardized animal model for the study of alkali ingestion

The purpose of this study was to develop an animal model that would grade in-vivo therapeutic modality testing for caustic ingestion. Caustic substances are found in many household items (eg detergents, bleaches, pipe cleaners) and pose a serious threat to health if ingested accidentally or intentionally with resulting injuries including immediate death or chronic debilitating morbidity. This study used 5, 3.8 or 1.8% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to determine macro/microscopic injury at 10, 30, or 60 minutes. Macroscopic grading was based on gross evaluation of denudation of mucosa, edema, hyperemia, hemorrhage, ulcerations and necrosis. Microscopic grading was based on epithelial viability, cornified epithelial cell differentiation, granular cell differentiation, epithelial cell nuclei, muscle cell viability and muscle cell nuclei. Product concentration was shown a more significant predictor of injury than time of exposure. The grading system presented should provide a reliable method of producing and grading alkaline ingestions for future treatment hypothesis testing.