A STUDY ON CAUSTIC INGESTION AND OUTCOME

*Dr. P. Srujan, M.D., Dr. D. Sridhar, M.D. and Dr. Rohith, M.D.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Poisoning is one of the most commonly used suicidal methods in India. Caustic ingestion is one among them. Aims & Objectives: To find out the prevalence & pattern of Corrosive injury and to elicit the clinical features / clinical course and outcome by endoscopy. Material & Methods: A prospective cross - sectional study with 50 Patients presenting with caustic ingestion were the study subjects evaluating with clinical history and all relevant investigations as per norms. Results: In our study the most commonly used corrosive was acid (70%), Alkali was only 30%. Among the acid, Carbolic acid (phenol) was the most commonly used acid. Out of 50 patients, 40 patients were discharged. 8 patients died within 48 hours Conclusion: Females had outnumbered the males in our study(64:36).The quantity and concentration of caustic consumed determined the outcome. Patient with Grade – III injury had more morbidity in the form of stricture involving upper gastro intestinal tract.100% mortality observed in Grade – IV injury.

Keywords: Corrosive Injury (CI); UPGIE-Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.