Acta Medica Medianae (Apr 2003)
PILOT STUDY ON ACID BURNS OF THE OESOPHAGUS IN GUINEA PIGS
Abstract
Correct time determination for beginning of the first bougienage in cases with Stomatoesophagitis corrosiva is probably the most important step for successful outcome of treatment procedures. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of acid burns of the oesophagus in Guinea pigs. We tested 20 animals (mean initial weight of 520 g on average) divided into two groups: Group 1 (subjected to 98% H2S04) and Group 2 (15% H2S04). Changes in weight, pathohistological findings (biopsy), time and cause of death (after International Classification of Diseases - 9th revision) were analysed. The results revealed that animals from Group 1 died about the day 6 from ingestion of the acid with mean decrease of weight of 9.83% as the difference with the initial one was statistically significant (p<0.05) Peritonitis (ICD9 Dx:567) was the cause of death with highest frequency. During the study period of 1 month, Peritonitis and Mediastinids acuta (Dx:518) were pathohistological diagnoses with highest frequency. Only 3 animals from Group 2 died during the period of observation while the rest (n=7) survived afterwards. The relative risk of dying up to the day 9 included after ingestion of 98% against 15% H2SO4 was 9 (p<0.05). The histological analysis on the day 10 from ingestion revealed severe necrotic changes of all layers of the oesophageal wall. Our conclusion from these preliminary results was to sustain the idea to refrain from early bougienage in cases with massive damage of the oesophagus by concentrated acids. Above results might be found useful in planning larger experimental studies on acid burns of the oesophagus in the future.
