SWALLOWING OF HYDROCHLORIC-ACID - STUDY OF 25 CASES

INTRODUCTION: ingestion of hydrochloric acid solutions (Salfumant/Salf uman) constitute a relatively frequent emergency in our environment. I t is a strong acid, highly corrosive, the swallowing of which causes a very serious necrosis of the gastrointestinal tract. AIM: we review o ur experience on emergency treatment of inpatients after the swallowin g of watery hydrochloric acid solutions, in order to identify the most important prognosis factor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: during the last thi rteen years, 25 patients have been attended in our center with the dia gnosis of hydrochloric acid swallowing. The clinical and therapeutical characteristics are respectively analyzed, as well as the high morbi- mortality of these kind of emergencies. RESULTS: global mortality of t he series has been 48% (12 patients). The common characteristic of the se 12 patients was the esofagogastric massive necrosis, and the duoden umpancreatic frame necrosis. Ten patients who did not present duodenal necrosis or were operated on of later complications, survived. Three patients could be managed with medical conservative treatment. CONCLUS IONS: hydrochloric acid swallowing constitutes an extraordinary severe emergency, with a high mortality, mainly related to necrosis extensio n to the duodenumpancreatic frame.