Laryngeal Stenosis Caused by Ingestion of Caustic Soda: A Report of Four Cases

Introduction: The ingestion of caustic substances is still a concern in our environment due to the severity of cases and the great potential of generating irreversible sequelae. It mainly occurs in pediatric patients who are accidental cases, or conscious, in suicide attempts intake. The greater the severity of lesions, the early the onset of stenosis. The ingestion of caustic soda commonly evolves with laryngeal and/or esophageal stricture. Among the forms of surgical treatment of laryngeal stenosis mostly use caustic soda are endoscopic balloon dilatation, laryngeal microsurgery, and open surgery.

Objectives: This study aims to report four cases of laryngeal stenosis due to caustic soda in adults, two treated by endoscopic surgery and two in open surgery and to compare the outcomes of patients.

Case Reports: Four patients, three males and one female, sought expert service with history of ingestion of caustic soda, preventing dyspnea. Tracheostomy was necessary in the female patient. Laryngoscopy showed moderate glottic stenosis in two male patients and severe stenosis in two patients. All patients underwent surgery, and patients with moderate stenosis undergoing endoscopic surgery and patients with severe stenosis undergoing open surgery. All progressed well with good therapeutic results and in postoperative follow-up.

Conclusion: The surgical approach to oral use of the rigid endoscope proved to be a good alternative to correct this type of laryngeal injury.