Abstract

CAMARAY, Noheltriz et al. Frecuencia de esofagitis caustica y complicaciones en el Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo durante los años 2005-2007: Caracas. Venezuela. Gen [online]. 2008, vol.62, n.4, pp.306-308. ISSN 0016-3503.

Caustic agents are those substances capable of burning the tissue with which they come into contact. The frequency of worldwide caustic injuries has not been determined, nevertheless statistics of countries like The United States report 26.000 annual cases, thus becoming a public health problem due to their multiple complications, including esophageal cancer in the long term. With the intention of determining the frequency and complications of these injuries, a retrospective longitudinal study was done at the gastroenterology service , Hospital "Dr. Carlos Arvelo", We reviewed all the files of patients with diagnosis of caustic esophagitis, between the years 2005 and 2007, using ZargarÊs classification. In this study 13 cases were reported, 7 were classified as grade 3, 1 with grade 2, and 5 with grade 1 esophagitis. Patients with grade 2 and 3 esophagitis underwent esophagial dilations with Savary and balloon dilators.

Keywords : esophagitis; caustic; dilators; stenosis.