Abstract

Aim: Accidental ingestion of corrosive materials remains a significant problem in the pediatric population. Ingested corrosive agents produce esophageal injuries ranging from minor burns to severe necrosis. The aim of this study was to discuss our patients who were treated for corrosive material ingestion and necessity of the esophagoscopy.

Materials and Methods: Patients with a history of corrosive agent ingestion who were followed up in our Pediatric Surgery clinic between January 2000 and March 2007 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Among total of 394 cases affected by corrosives, 62.2 % were males, 37.8 % were females with a mean age was 3.98±3.0 (6 months-16 years, ±3.0) years. Household bleaches (43.6 %), fat solvents (25.4 %) and hydrochloric acid (24.1 %) were the most frequently encountered corrosive agents. In 46.6 % of the cases, no pathologies have been detected in esophagoscopy. There were esophageal strictures in four cases, and esophageal and gastric perforation developed in one case. None of the children who ingested household bleaches developed esophageal strictures All of our cases consisted of children who ingested caustic agents inadvertently.

Conclusion: Based on our study, we believe that, since household bleaches do not lead to esophageal strictures, .early esophagoscopy appears to be an unnecessary intervention in a child who ingested household bleaches accidentally.