BACKGROUND: Alkali ingestion causes severe injuries in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Currently, a large variety of these agents may be found in liquid form, increasing their use in suicide attempts and accidental ingestion. The goal of the present study was to evaluate morphological effects of alkali ingestion in murine stomach. METHOD: Twenty adult rats, of both sexes were submitted to NaOH-5% gastric infusion through an orogastric catheter. Rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5), and studied after 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days and 90 days, respectively. The animals were killed and their stomach and abdominal cavity were assessed. RESULTS: After 24 hours, mucosa and submucosa presented coagulation necrosis, with a mild acute transmural inflammation with polymorphonuclear infiltration and numerous necrotic focci. After 7 days, the necrotic aspect was the same, but with no necrosis. In the groups of 30 and 90 days the abdominal cavity recovered its normal aspect. Stomachs showed fibrosis, rigidity and fibrovascular proliferation. CONCLUSION: The rats that survived to necrosis and bacterial infiltration during the first weeks, developed progressive healing of their stomachs, maintaining the risk of complications due to intense fibrosis.
Stomachs; Caustic ingestion; Gastritis; Complications
