Corrosive injury of oral cavity--a rare presentation

Corrosive injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract has been frequently reported in medical literature. The ingestion of acid or alkali may be accidental or intentional. The spectrum of injury varies from involving the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum either individually or together. The oral cavity is rarely involved. The sequelae of oral cavity caustic injury that have been reported include microstomia, shallow vestibule, ankyloglossia, speech impairment, loss of teeth and impairment of facial expression. We report a case of corrosive injury of the oral cavity following accidental ingestion of caustic alkali, who presented to us with bilateral submandibular gland enlargement following the development of corrosive stricture of the submandibular ducts. The scar tissue in the anterior floor mouth was excised with the submandibular salivary glands. Concomitant release of the contracture in the gingivo-buccal sulcus was also done and the defect was covered with a radial forearm free flap. The presentation of corrosive oral injury as salivary duct obstruction and enlarged salivary glands has not been reported. Free tissue transfer for corrosive scarring in the oral cavity helps to restore pliable tissue.