Cortisone and Acute Lye Corrosion of the Esophagus

EARLY effects of severe lye corrosion of the esophagus include pain, dehydration, malnutrition, perforation, and death. Most patients survive the acute phase, only to acquire varying degrees of esophageal stricture. A recent review of the subject¹disclosed that after ingestion of lye 58% of patients experienced severe dysphagia within one month, 80% did so within two months, and approximately 99% of those in whom significant stricture eventually developed did so within eight months. Perforation of the esophagus intervened in an occasional case. Stothers²described the development of sudden acute impaction as long as 40 years after the accident and cautioned that in the esophagus once burned, stricture may develop "at any time in the life of the patient." Accepted measures directed toward prevention and correction of pathologic states consequent to corrosive esophagitis have included both assiduous avoidance of intraesophageal manipulation for from four to six weeks, or until