2000 Volume 11 Issue 9 Pages 456-461
A 28-year-old man attempted suicide by drinking a glass of dilute solution of caustic hydrochloric acid and was admitted to the Sapporo Medical University Hospital 3 hours later. Laboratory examination on admission showed metabolic acidosis, BE -8.9mEq/l. Endoscopic examination showed corrosive changes indicating injury to the deep layer of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The patient underwent surgery for severe caustic ingestion injury of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum to prevent perforative complications. After 84 days, esophageal reconstruction using the right colon with the terminal ileum was conducted, with excellent results were obtained. He was transferred to another hospital without further complication. Diagnosis and surgical treatment of caustic ingestion injuries remain controversial. After severe caustic injuries, patient survival is closely related to the delay between ingestion and surgical treatment. Our experience indicated that the decision for early operative intervention played a basic role in preventing of perforative complications.
