Early management of corrosive burns of the oesophagus.

One hundred and sixteen patients with early corrosive burns of the oesophagus treated by the author are reviewed. It is emphasized that the all important aspect of management of these patients is prophylactic treatment to avoid stricture of the oesophagus. Early treatment consists of intravenous fluid therapy, broad spectrum antibiotics, sedation, parenteral hydrocortisone and more importantly maintaining the patency of the oesophagus followed by dilatation. The importance of early barium meal studies and oesophagoscopy is stressed.