Management of gastrostomy to prevent perforation in acute severe corrosive esophagitis and gastritis: An experimental study

Background/aims: Symptomatic treatment is still the most commonly preferred treatment modality for acute severe esophagitis and gastritis. Clinical results of this treatment range from pathologies like stricture formation to loss of life. In our study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of immediate gastrostomy in preventing perforation due to corrosive trauma. Methods: We used 32 rats in two study groups. In Group I (n: 16 rats), 1 ml of corrosive agent (10% NaOH solution) was administered and immediate gastrostomies were performed within 2 hours. In Group II (n: 16 rats), 1 ml corrosive agent (10% NaOH solution) was administered and the rats were treated symptomatically; no operation was performed. Results: Acute death was observed in 5 rats just after the corrosive agent was administered at the beginning of the study. Three rats from Group II died due to esophageal and gastric perforation within one week (25%). Necrosis was reported in 5 non-gastrostomized rats; however, no necrosis was observed in the gastrostomized group (p=0.037). Conclusions: Severe acute corrosive esophagitis and gastritis may be fatal. Furthermore, survivors may suffer from lifelong associated problems. From this study, we concluded that immediate gastrostomy in acute corrosive esophagitis and gastritis may play an important role in preventing necrosis and perforation risk.