The principal manifestation of poisoning induced by the alkaline substance is a corrosive effects in tissues. The alkalies combine with protein and fat of the tissue, causing deep penetrating injury and liquefactive necrosis of the organs. Liquid lye is the most frequently ingested form of corrosive agents and causes most of the deaths associated with corrosive agent ingestion. We have experienced 5 fatal cases which were accidentally administered liquid lye as soap-saline enema in the hospital during 30 days. the 3 cases of them were autopsied at this institute. At autopsy, the digestive tract including rectum, colon and small intestine revealed hemorrhagic necrosis with multiple area of perforation. Because these were the first proved cases that the liquid lye was used as enema solution, we report here.
Alkalies ; Autopsy ; Colon ; Corrosion ; Eating ; Enema* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Intestine, Small ; Lye* ; Necrosis ; Poisoning ; Rectum

Two hundred and thirteen cases of acute poisoning who were admitted in pediatric wards of Severance Hospital and Won ju Christian Hospital from April, 1966 to March, 1976 (10 years) were statistically analyzed and compared it with the statistical study of same hospitals from April, 1956 to March, 1966 (10 years). 1. Incidence of poisoning was 1.2% of all admitted cases. Severance Hospital and Won ju Christian Hospital were corresponding to 0.9% and 2.0% of all pediatric admitted patients respectively 2. Sex incidence was more higher in boys than girls, The highest incidence (39%) was noted in the 1 to 4 year age group. 3. Seasonal incidence was more prevalent in summer months. (form June to August) 4. Fortyseven kinds of various poisonous substances were observed to be causative. The most common causative was insecticide (made for aggricultual use) which was 52% of all cases. (Severance Hospital: 37%, Won ju Christian Hospital: 76%). Drug (23%), CO gas (8.5%) and rodenticide (5%) were the next common causative agnts. 5. Poisoning of accidental cause was frequent (69%) than therapeutic and suicidal purpose, which were 26% and 6% respectively. 6. Mortality rate was 8% and insecticide was the most common cause of death. 7. There was no statistically significant difference between the past study and this study which were performed from two same hospitals in sex incidence, age incidence, seasonal distribution, motivations of poisoning, duration from poisoning to arrival to emergency room and mortality rate. In the past study the most common causative substance was CO gas in Severance Hospital and insecticide in Won ju Christian Hospital. In this study insecticide become the most common causative substance in both hospitals and the incidence was significantly increased than the past. Drug was second common causative agent. Lye was markedly decreased poisoning to compare with past study. Incidence of patients who were treated at the other clinic was increased from 14% to 33%.
Cause of Death ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Lye ; Mortality ; Poisoning ; Seasons ; Statistics as Topic

OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of the esophageal balloon dilatation (EBD) in children with a corrosive esophageal stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study subjects included 14 patients (M:F = 8:6, age range: 17-85 months) who underwent an EBD due to a corrosive esophageal stricture. The causative agents for the condition were glacial acetic acid (n = 9) and lye (n = 5). RESULTS: A total of 52 EBD sessions were performed in 14 patients (range 1-8 sessions). During the mean 15-month follow-up period (range 1-79 months), 12 patients (86%) underwent additional EBD due to recurrent esophageal stricture. Dysphagia improved after each EBD session and oral feeding was possible between EBD sessions. Long-term success (defined as dysphagia relief for at least 12 months after the last EBD) was achieved in two patients (14%). Temporary success of EBD (defined as dysphagia relief for at least one month after the EBD session) was achieved in 17 out of 52 sessions (33%). A submucosal tear of the esophagus was observed in two (4%) sessions of EBD. CONCLUSION: Only a limited number of children with corrosive esophageal strictures were considered cured by EBD. However, the outcome of repeated EBD was sufficient to allow the children to eat per os prior to surgical management.
Acetic Acid/poisoning ; Balloon Dilatation/*methods ; Burns, Chemical/radiography/*therapy ; Caustics/poisoning ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Deglutition Disorders/etiology ; Esophageal Stenosis/chemically induced/*radiography/*therapy ; Esophagus/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lye/poisoning ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome