Citation

Havanond C, Havanond P. J. Emerg. Med. 2007; 33(4): 349-353.

Affiliation

Falculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Thammasart University, Rangsit Campus, Klonglaung, Patumtani, Thailand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.062

PMID

17976790

Abstract

Corrosive ingestion can produce severe upper gastrointestinal tract injury with long-lasting suffering and even death. Early assessment of the extent of damage is important, not only for treatment, but also for hospitalization. We did a prospective study to determine the prognostic value of initial signs and symptoms as indicators of the degree of gastrointestinal injury. We found that drooling saliva, buccal mucosa burn, and white blood cell count were significant independent predictors. The simple chart, "Med-TU chart," has been developed. We consider it to be a useful tool for emergency physicians who evaluate patients with corrosive ingestions.

Language: en