The oral implications of caustic soda ingestion in children

The morbidity related to caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) ingestion is well described in the literature. The majority of publications have concentrated on the effects to the trachea and gastrointestinal tract, with little reference to the oral and peri-oral areas. Accidental ingestion of sodium hydroxide-containing substances is fortunately rare; however the consequences can be devastating. Three cases of children who drank caustic substances are described. Treatment included fitting splints, injecting steroids, local surgical procedures, and the use of dynamic appliances to maintain mouth opening. Despite these interventions, all patients developed severe scarring, resulting in stenosis of the oral musculature and extra-articular ankylosis. There is perhaps a role for further investigation of early use of antiproliferative agents to prevent scarring, more aggressive surgery, and long-term physiotherapy appliance use. These patients require lifelong follow-up.