Surgical management of esophageal strictures after caustic burns: a 30 years of experience

To analyze a 30-year historical series of patients treated in our hospital, who ingested corrosive substances, and to assess the effectiveness of surgical therapy administered in patients with strictures after caustic injury in esophagus during this period.

A total of 79 cases of caustic burns in esophagus were treated in Tangdu Hospital from 1971 to 2001. Their clinical and pathological data were reviewed, and collected from the medical records of patients and interviews with them.

More men (n = 61) than women (n = 18) ingested caustic substances with a sex ratio of 3.4:1 during the 30-year period. The caustic materials were liquid lye and acids (54 cases and 25 cases, respectively). Sixty-eight patients were given esophageal replacement in more than three months after caustic injury with no postoperative death, of which 17 cases developed postoperative complications making a complication rate of 25%. The most common one was cervical anastomotic leakage. All patients had improvement in swallowing afterwards.

The presence and severity of injuries are correlated with the amount of caustic substances ingested. Surgical treatment is a good option in patients with severe strictures, and colonic interposition might be the best surgical process. The most important factors to guarantee a successful outcome for surgery are good vascular supply and absence of tension in the anastomosis.