Corrosive Injury to the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Due to Acid Ingestion

Report of Two Cases

Abstract

The authors report two patients who ingested hydrochloric acid, one of whom died of septic shock 3 days after ingesting the acid. Both patients developed delayed, severe constriction of the entire esophagus and the stomach. Ingestion of acid often causes severe, extensive corrosive damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract. Appropriate management of this life-threatening condition requires an awareness of its subtle manifestations as well as a carefully planned surgical approach. The authors describe their cases in detail and discuss the early and late clinical manifestations and the current treatment options.