Epidemiology of caustic burns in the upper gastrointestinal tract in adult: our experience with 212 cases

Ingestion of caustic products remains a common emergency in Morocco.Our study covers 212 cases of ingestion of caustics collected in the VisceralSurgical Emergency Department of university hospital Mohammed VI inMarrakech. The average age of our patients is 35. Most of our patientscome from a disadvantaged socio-economic class. They ingested causticsubstances as part of an attempt at autolysis in 54.24% of cases. Salt spiritis the most commonly used product (56.60% of cases) with quantitiesexceeding 150cc in 18% of cases. Fibroscopy often performed within 48hours showed stage I digestive lesions in 21.90% and stage II and IIIlesions in 52% and 7.80% of the cases respectively. Public education oncaustic products is an essential measure in any prophylactic action againstthis problem.Keywords: Caustic ingestion–adult–autolysis-hydrochloric acid- Morocco