Corrosive oesophagitis after formic acid ingestion.

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of corrosive oesophagitis following ingestion of formic acid has been studied. Twelve patients with this condition were seen by the authors in Songklanagarind Hospital during the three years period, January 1983 to December 1985. The sex ratio, male female was 1 5. The ingestion of formic acid was due to attempted suicide in 83.3% of patients, and accidental in 16.7% of patients. Oesophagoscopy was done in all patients in every case. Pathological changes were seen in the oesophagus, in seven cases also in the stomach, and in one case even in the duodenum. The treatment varied from simple oesophageal dilatation in mild cases to surgical intervention in the more severe cases. The mean length of stay in hospital was 36.5 days (3-60 days). Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients in 3 patients and 2 patients died.