[Caustics-induced lesions of the gastrointestinal tract]

Ingestion of a corrosive agent results in a life-threatening clinical condition that requires emergency intensive care and often surgical intervention. Treatment is multifactorial and varies with the extent and depth of the injury. We report a case of a young 24-year-old man with accidental ingestion of sulphonic acid. After 1 month he developed a progressive dysphagia. Early endoscopic examination showed grade III injury to both the esophagus and stomach with severe and undilatable stricture of the antrum. Therapy included total parenteral nutrition and antibiotics. Repeat endoscopic examinations on days 30 and 40 showed progressive healing of the esophageal injuries, but confirmed a complete antral stenosis. After two months a large antecolic jejuno-gastroplasty was performed on the anterior wall of the stomach. The postoperative course was regular, and endoscopic examination showed complete healing of the injuries.