Open AccessTreatment of Caustic Injuries of the Esophagus
Author(s) -
Marvin M. Kirsh,
Avery Peterson,
John W. Brown,
Mark B. Orringer,
Frank N. Ritter,
Herbert Sloan
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-197811000-00016
Subject(s) - medicine , esophagus , caustic (mathematics) , surgery , chemical burn , degree (music) , general surgery , physics , mathematical physics , acoustics
The methods of managing 32 patients sustaining caustic injuries to the esophagus are assessed. Treatment of these patients must be individualized according to the type of caustic ingested, the degree of burn and other clinical signs. While an aggressive approach is favored for second and third-degree burns in the form of early esophago-gastrectomy with subsequent colon interposition, operation is not necessary. In all patients, particularly those with first-degree burns. The use of antibiotics is recommended as soon as the diagnosis of esophageal injury is established. The efficacy of steroids in preventing stricture formation, especially with third-degree burns, is questioned.