Management of caustic ingestion in adults

Initial symptoms as predictors of esophageal injury in alkaline corrosive ingestions

The predictive value of initial clinical evaluation in the management of alkaline corrosive ingestion remains unclear. This multicenter study was designed to determine if specific clinical signs and symptoms following ingestion of alkaline corrosives could predict significant esophageal injury. Alkaline corrosives were defined by a pH greater than or equal to 12. Signs and symptoms previously suggested as predictive of significant esophageal injury were documented on a standardized data form. Esophagoscopy reports were reviewed blinded to initial symptoms. Three hundred thirty-six alkaline-corrosive ingestions were analyzed. The mean number of symptoms reported in patients who did not have esophagoscopy was 1.2, in patients who had esophagoscopy was 3.0, and in patients that had visualized second or third degree esophageal burns was 4.8. Of 88 patients who had esophagoscopy, 63 (72%) had both the esophagoscopy report and initial symptom assessment available. Esophagoscopy was positive, defined as second or third degree esophageal burns, in 18 of 63 cases (29%). All patients with significant burns were symptomatic. No single or group of initially reported signs and symptoms could identify all patients with potentially serious esophageal burns.

Esophageal resection and by-pass: a 6 year experience with a low postoperative mortality

From 1984 to 1989, 175 esophageal cancer patients, 10 patients admitted for severe caustic esophagitis, and 1 patient with pyothorax due to iatrogenic perforation of the esophagus underwent an esophageal resection or bypass operation. One hundred sixty-eight esophageal resections were performed on 167 patients; 13 were total, 106 subtotal and 49 distal. Nineteen digestive transplants were pulled up to the neck to bypass the esophagus or re-establish continuity after an esophagectomy made elsewhere. Digestive continuity was restored by a long gastric transplant in 120 patients, a colon segment in 17, a jejunal loop in 35, and a short gastric transplant after limited esophago-gastrectomy in 14 patients. Thirty day mortality was 0 in the whole group. Hospital mortality was 1.2% in the resection group and 10.5% in the bypass group (p = 0.048). Nonfatal postoperative complications consisted of respiratory distress in 33 patients, recurrent nerve palsy in 10, anastomotic fistula in 10 (cervical in 8 and intrathoracic in 2) and anastomotic stenosis in 18 patients. Respiratory complications were more frequent in patients with a cancer of the thoracic esophagus (29/111) than in those operated on for a cancer located in the esophago-gastric junction (4/50) (p less than 0.01). Anastomotic stenosis occurred more frequently in the neck (17/137) than in the chest (1/49) (p less than 0.05). Nine patients were reoperated on for a technical complication; intraabdominal hemorrhage (1), thoracic duct injury (2), acute cholecystitis (1), tight stricture of the esophageal anastomosis (2), jejuno-duodenal anastomotic fistula (2), or stridor related to recurrent nerve palsy (1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aortoesophageal fistula: a comprehensive review of the literature

Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is a relatively rare but life-threatening cause of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding. The clinical characteristics of AEF are so unique that a presumptive bedside diagnosis can be made at the time of presentation. In the past decade, surgical management has improved to the point that cure is now possible. For these reasons, we have reviewed the literature. We summarize our findings with respect to the etiology and clinical characteristics of AEF. Further, we discuss the diagnostic modalities that may be used to confirm the diagnosis, and the therapeutic modalities available to slow the hemorrhage, so as to allow time to correct the anatomic defect.

Ingestion of corrosive acids. Spectrum of injury to upper gastrointestinal tract and natural history

We have prospectively evaluated 41 patients who ingested acid for location, extent, severity, and outcome of the injury to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The injury was assessed within 36 h of acid intake by endoscopy or surgery, or at autopsy. Symptoms and signs were unreliable in predicting the extent and severity of injury. The degree of burns was classified as follows: grade 0 in 2 patients, grade 1 in 3, grade 2 in 16, and grade 3 in 20. Esophageal injury was seen in 87.8% of the patients, gastric injury in 85.4%, and duodenal injury in 34.1%. All patients with grade 0, 1, and 2a injury recovered without sequelae. Acute complications occurred in 39.1% of the cases, and death in 12.2%. It is significant that all such patients had grade 3 burns. Five of the 8 patients with grade 2b injury and all survivors of grade 3 injury developed esophageal or gastric cicatrization, or both, which subsequently needed endoscopic or surgical treatment. We find that endoscopy is not only the tool of choice for diagnosis in such cases but also aids in deciding upon treatment and prognosis. We conclude that acid injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract is a very serious condition that affects the esophagus and stomach equally and results in high morbidity and mortality.

Early evaluation and therapy for caustic esophageal injury

Forty-one patients with caustic ingestion were reviewed. Eighty-three percent were children, all of whom suffered accidental injury. Liquid drain cleaner was the agent in 57 percent and was responsible for all esophageal burns. Symptoms and physical findings were unreliable in predicting the extent of injury. Endoscopy was performed in most patients within 36 hours of ingestion and accurately estimated the risk of subsequent esophageal stricture formation. Steroid administration had no influence on the development of strictures. Esophageal strictures developed in 22 percent of the patients. One-third were successfully managed by periodic dilation, whereas the remaining two-thirds required esophagectomy and reconstruction. Early endoscopic evaluation was the best means of assessing the degree of injury after caustic ingestion. Routine steroid administration had no apparent clinical benefit.

Management of severe caustic stenosis of the hypopharynx and esophagus by ileocolic transposition via suprahyoid or transepiglottic approach. Analysis of 18 cases

Eighteen cases of severe chronic caustic stenosis of the hypopharynx and esophagus are presented. Restoration of digestive continuity was accomplished by retrosternal ileocolic transposition. The cervical approach and the position of anastomosis depended on the status of the hypopharynx. When one pyriform sinus remained open (type I, N = 4), an anterior suprahyoid approach was used in conjunction with lateral hypopharyngotomy because it facilitated the anastomosis and additional minor surgical procedures. When the hypopharynx was completely stenosed (type II, N = 14), a transepiglottic approach consisting of partial horizontal laryngectomy was used because it allowed excision of the supraglottic stricture, restoration of the oropharyngeal cavity, anastomosis to the posterior oropharyngeal wall, management of an eventual laryngotracheal stenosis, and elevation of the laryngeal inlet above the digestive anastomosis. After operation, several endoscopic examinations were required, sometimes combined with reoperation. Return of deglutition assuring normal nutrition was obtained in 61% of patients: 3 of 4 type I and in 8 of 14 type II.