T HE MANAGEMENT of caustic esophageal trauma has become more confusing in recent years because of an increase in the number of treatment modalities available and recommended. Des Portes and Ray (1959)1 reported stricture formation in esophageal burns to be as high as 80% in caustic ingestion cases. Chandler (1965)2 stated this complication developed in only 3% to 5% of patients with esophageal burns. This improvement has been primarily attributed to the use of steroids or early dilatations.
Between 1944 and 1966, 105 cases of known caustic ingestion were admitted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and these were analyzed in this study to present the current status of treatment of esophageal burns.
Method
Each case of caustic ingestion was reviewed as to age, agent, findings on esophagoscopy, management, and stricture formation. The incidence and stricture formation were tabulated by age (Figure). The cases were classified as