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Original ArticleOpen Access
Clinical Features of Corrosive Ingestion
Havanond C 
Objective :To study the clinical presentation after corrosive ingestion.
Setting : A University Hospital.
Design: Prospective descriptive study.
Patients and Method: Corrosive ingestion patients were studied, from July 2000 to December
2002. Reasons for ingestion, symptoms, physical findings and routine investigations were recorded in
a standard form. Data analysed using the descriptive statistical method.
Results: There were 73 patients, 55 women and I8 men, median age 22 years, 48 (65.8%) of
whom had ingested strong acid, 3 (4.1 %) ingested strong alkali. Suicidal gesture was the most com-
mon reason for ingestion (89.2% ). The amount of ingestion was less in accidental cases. Symptoms of
nausea/vomiting, drooling and abdominal tenderness were associated with the amount of ingestion,
while severity of lips, buccal mucosa and palate injuries was significantly related with strong corrosive
agents (p
<
0.05). Leucocytosis was found in patients who had symptoms of drooling, hoarseness, stridor
and signs of mucosal slough or superficial ulcers (p
<
0.05). Four required surgery. Two of them had
esophago-gastrectomy. Twenty-one patients were followed-up, with the median follow-up time of II
(1-28) months. One patient died from HIV infection. The rest were normal.
Conclusion : Drooling and oral mucosal slough or ulcers were significant findings and were
related to the amount and strength of the corrosive substance ingested, respectively. To meet the goal
of a holistic approach, attention must also be given to psychiatric management, and surgeons should
provide a supportive role.
Key word : Corrosive Ingestion, Corrosive Injury, Clinical Presentation, Suicide, Adjustment Disorder,
Epidemiology
Setting : A University Hospital.
Design: Prospective descriptive study.
Patients and Method: Corrosive ingestion patients were studied, from July 2000 to December
2002. Reasons for ingestion, symptoms, physical findings and routine investigations were recorded in
a standard form. Data analysed using the descriptive statistical method.
Results: There were 73 patients, 55 women and I8 men, median age 22 years, 48 (65.8%) of
whom had ingested strong acid, 3 (4.1 %) ingested strong alkali. Suicidal gesture was the most com-
mon reason for ingestion (89.2% ). The amount of ingestion was less in accidental cases. Symptoms of
nausea/vomiting, drooling and abdominal tenderness were associated with the amount of ingestion,
while severity of lips, buccal mucosa and palate injuries was significantly related with strong corrosive
agents (p
<
0.05). Leucocytosis was found in patients who had symptoms of drooling, hoarseness, stridor
and signs of mucosal slough or superficial ulcers (p
<
0.05). Four required surgery. Two of them had
esophago-gastrectomy. Twenty-one patients were followed-up, with the median follow-up time of II
(1-28) months. One patient died from HIV infection. The rest were normal.
Conclusion : Drooling and oral mucosal slough or ulcers were significant findings and were
related to the amount and strength of the corrosive substance ingested, respectively. To meet the goal
of a holistic approach, attention must also be given to psychiatric management, and surgeons should
provide a supportive role.
Key word : Corrosive Ingestion, Corrosive Injury, Clinical Presentation, Suicide, Adjustment Disorder,
Epidemiology
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