[Unexpected metabolic acidosis in severe lye poisoning (author's transl)].

A woman 38 years of age suffering from severe peroral lye intoxication, without shock, developed prolonged metabolic acidosis lasting for 8 days despite substitution therapy. Metabolic acidosis was caused by lactic acid. The increased lactic acid production in the marginal regions of the corroded upper digestive tract as well as the impaired lactate removal by the injured liver were most probably responsible for this lactic acidosis.