Management of corrosive esophagitis
Ragheb, M.I.; Ramadan, A.A.; Khalia, M.A.
Surgery 79(5): 494-498
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6060 PMID: 1265656 Document Number: 98217
One hundred patients with corrosive esophagitis treated between 1973-1975 are reported. The chemical agent most often responsible for the injury was commerical caustic potash (a mixture of potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide and sodium carbonate), which is used primarily for washing clothes, cleaning floors and, in some homes, for making soap. Intermittent dilatation after subsidance of the acute phase yielded satisfactory results in 74 patients with the incidence of esophageal perforation present in 5. The site of gastrostomy in controlling the corrosive esophagitis was shown in another 4 patients. Combined corrosive esophagitis with pyloric obstruction was found in 4 patients. Different means of esophageal replacement are discussed, with special stress on retrosternal colon transplant as a suitable substitute in 7 patients. The over-all mortality rate was different at 3 stages of management.