[Corrosive lesions of the upper intestinal tract in gastrectomized patients (author's transl)]

Lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract caused by acid or alkaline solutions are generally limited to the esophagus and the stomach, because of physiological blocking mechanisms. In patients partially gastrectomized noxious solutions however can enter into lower parts of the gastrointestinal tract and cause severe lesions. Among 74 patients observed with corrosive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract two had undergone partial gastrectomy (Billroth II) previously. In these 2 patients very severe lesions of the intestinal mucosa were initiated; one of these patients died in spite of two resections of parts of the small intestine after massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. These additional complications have to be foreseen in gastrectomized patients with corrosive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.