Corrosive oesophagitis: an analysis of 50 cases.

A total of 50 consecutive patients who were treated in JIPMER Hospital between 1970 and 1981 for corrosive injuries of the oesophagus and stomach were analysed. There were 23 males and 27 females. All but seven presented with dysphagia due to an established stricture. In addition seven of them had associated stricture of the stomach. They were treated with either repeated dilatations or, in selected cases, oesophageal replacement. Perforation of the oesophagus is an important complication associated with oesophageal dilatation indicating the need for oesophageal replacement in multiple or long dense strictures. Results are quite satisfactory with both modalities of treatment. However, oesophageal replacement surgery, performed properly in selected cases, offers a permanent solution to these unfortunate victims.