Case report, case study
https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2023-74-3792
Accidental ingestion of concentrated white vinegar in Hatay children in Turkey
Ahmet Atıcı
; Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hatay, Turkey
Lina Miçooğulları
; Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hatay, Turkey
Bahar Uğur
; Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hatay, Turkey
Mehmet Emin Çelikkaya
; Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hatay, Turkey
Bülent Akçora
; Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Hatay, Turkey
Abstract
White vinegar which contains high concentrations (~85 %) of acetic acid is a staple ingredient used in food preparation in many Mediterranean cuisines but in small amounts. Being corrosive, it can cause ulcerative injury to the oropharynx and oesophagus and upset the stomach with resulting nausea and vomiting. This study presents 11 cases of paediatric patients (five boys and six girls, aged between 11 and 89 months) with oesophageal strictures who drank white vinegar by accident. They all received endoscopic oesophageal dilation (with a bougie) ranging from one to 28 per patient, depending on the severity of the injury. Follow-up showed uneventful healing in eight patients, who at the time of the telephone call were able to swallow solids and liquids normally. Two patients who could not be reached by telephone were found healthy by consulting the national database (e-Nabız). Unfortunately, one patient, who was discharged without any symptoms after the first dilation, suffered massive gastrointestinal bleeding 24 hours after the dilation and died. The loss of this patient shows that ingesting white vinegar can be very dangerous in children, especially if parents delay seeking medical help. We believe that controlling the production and sales of highly concentrated white vinegar and selling it in child-proof containers can help to prevent accidental ingestions by children and tragic outcomes such as the one reported here.
Keywords
acetic acid; bougie dilation; follow-up; oesophagus; postoperative complications; swallowing
Hrčak ID:
311427
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2023.
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