Caustic stenosis of the oesophagus at Centre Hôpital D’Université(CHU) of Lome :Epidemiological and therapeutic aspects

Objective : The purpose of this study, was studying of the epidemiological factors and the results of management of these caustic stenosis of the oesophagus. Material And Method : A retrospective study. 38 cases of caustic stenosis of the oesophagus were, admitted and treated at the surgical departments of CHU of Lome, Togo, during the period January 1st 1983 to 31st December 2004. Result : The caustic stenosis of the oesophagus represented the second most common oesophageal disease treated at the surgical department [ 38/15153(24.84%)]. 21 were male and 17 female. Caustic soda was the commonest substance ingested (14 cases / 38). Suicide was the most frequent reason for ingestion of caustic substances. The majority of our patients 28(71.05%) had early surgical intervention. The others were managed by endoscopy. The overall outcome was satisfactory in 37 cases. One patient died in this study. After a follow-up of a median of 7 years, four patients re- presented a moderate residual dysphagia. Conclusion : This caustic stenosis of the oesophagus represents a disease with an increasing frequency inside our societies. Adequate measures must be carried out to prevent the caustic burns of the oesophagus among our peoples.