Abstract
A retrospective study of patients admitted in severe respiratory distress following ingestion of corrosives over a ten year period, (Jan. 1989-Dec. 1998) was made. The Aim was to highlight the peculiar airway problems associated with ingestion of corrosives in our locality. Method and Materials: Clinical notes of all patients who presented with history of ingestion of corrosives were examined and those patients admitted in respiratory distress were selected for the study. Personal data of the patients, the substances ingested, reason for the ingestion, period between ingestion and presentation, the resulting airway complications and clinical management were extracted from the notes. Results: Eleven patients admitted in severe respiratory distress were studied. They were aged 17-42 years, all males. Ingestion was deliberate in 66% of the patients. Symptoms included severe dyspnoea, hoarseness and stridor. Documented clinical signs included oedema of the oral mucosa; eschar formation; ulcers of the oral tissues, cheek and lips; and drooling of saliva. Scaring of oral mucosa, distortion of pharyngeal and laryngeal structures, tracheo-oesophageal and oro-cutanous fistulae were later developments during the course of management. Chest infection was evident in all the patients who presented after seven days. Conclusions: Corrosive ingestion is a major health problem in our environment. The proximal third of the oesophagus and the upper airway are mostly affected. These frequently result in life threatening airway complications demanding urgent tracheostomy.