Recent Management of Caustic Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Injuries

Abstract

Patients with clinical or radiological evidence of perforation require immediate laparotomy, usually followed by esophagectomy, cervical esophagostomy, frequently concomitant gastrectomy and even more extensive resections, and jejunostomy feeding. Laboratory and endoscopic criteria for emergency surgery have been suggested, including disseminated intravascular coagulation, renal failure, acidosis and third degree esophageal burns. Stricture prevention can be evaluated by steroids, nasogastric tube, mitomycin C and use of intraluminal stent . Esophageal stricture can be treated by truly evaluation and repeated dilatation by balloon or bougies. Non responding esophageal stricture treated by esophagectomy of the diseased part followed by coloplasty or gastroplasty. Keyword: Caustic injury- Computed tomography- Endoscopic ultrasound- Lower esophageal sphincter.