Study of the medium term outcome in corrosive upper gastrointestinal strictures managed in one unit by combined endoscopic and surgical modalities

Background: Corrosive substances can cause serious injuries of the upper gastrointestinal tract and may lead to death. Acute corrosive poisonings are caused by ingestion of corrosive chemicals which are mostly used as household agents and are ingested accidentally or suicidal intentionally. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate and compare the medium term outcomes of the multi modal treatment used for patients presenting with corrosive upper gastrointestinal strictures and to study the demographic and clinico- pathological profile of the patients of corrosive upper gastro intestinal tract strictures.Methods: A combined retrospective and prospective study was carried out on departmental database and patient presenting with corrosive upper gastrointestinal stricture from December 2010 to July 2019 in the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at King George's Medical University for a period of 9 years.Results: Corrosive ingestion was found to be more prevalent in age group of 15-65 years with higher incidence to be found in females compared to males. Majority of ingestion of corrosive substances are found to be suicidal by adults.Conclusions: India has high incidence of corrosive ingestion mainly suicidal and homicidal indent. Endoscopic dilatation of esophageal strictures is safe and effective therapy and should be first line therapy in patients with esophageal strictures and surgery should be considered only in patients who have technical and clinical failure on endoscopic dilatation.