Massive Necrosis of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract with Acute Gastric Perforation and Metabolic Acidosis after Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Ingestion

Introduction

Hydrochloric acid (HCl; pH, 1) is a widespread product in households around the world, used as a toilet cleaner. As an easy available substance it becomes one of the main causes of the corrosive injuries of the gastrointestinal tract. 

While ingestion of alkali results primarily in esophageal damage, acids tend to spare the esophagus and produce necrosis of the stomach as in thermal burns. The mechanism of damage is also different; alkalis produce liquefaction necrosis and acids coagulation necrosis. 

The extent and the severity of corrosive gastric injury is directly related to the concentration and amount of acidic substance as well as the period of time in the stomach, and to the amount of gastric content at the time of ingestion. 

We are reporting a case of massive necrosis of the upper GI tract with acute gastric perforation and metabolic acidosis due to suicidal acid ingestion. 

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