Corrosive Injury, Oesophagus

Injury to the oesophageal mucosa secondary to ingestion of strong acids or bases, often with suicidal intent in adults, or accidental in children; with time, such injuries may evolve to strictures
Management Airway control and gastric lavage. Do not administer water or milk—especially if the ingestion occurred more than 30 minutes prior; induce emesis—due to re-exposure, perform oesophageal lavage, administer activated charcoal, or try to neutralise with weak acids because it may cause an endothermic reaction; corticosteroids do not provide long-term benefits