Caustic ingestion in adult patients.

Sixteen adult patients who ingested caustic substances were seen from 1977 through 1984. All patients underwent endoscopy to determine the site and severity of burns; mild hyperemia to severe, penetrating necrosis was detected in each patient. Ten ingestions were intentional, 4 accidental, and 2 questionably accidental. Morbidity and mortality were high, especially in patients who ingested caustic materials intentionally. A protocol for treatment with steroids and antibiotics was followed in half the patients studied. Those patients who completed this regime tended to have moderately severe burns. Caustic ingestion in adults must be viewed as a problem different from that of accidental ingestion in children. Since most adult caustic ingestions are intentional, the injuries are worse, more deaths result, and more severe scars causing permanent disability are a frequent outcome.