Acute corrosive poisonings cause severe chemical injuries of the upper gastrointestinal tract, the most common location being the esophagus and the stomach. There are different opinions concerning the question of taking food and liquids by mouth immediately after caustic ingestion. This prospective study comprised 146 patients aged between 14 and 75 years divided in two groups. In the examined group prevailed those with esophagitis gr.IIb ( n=36; 54,54 %), esophagitis gr.III ( n=30; 45,45 %), gastritis gr. IIb (n=42, 63,63 %) and gastritis III (n=24;36,36%). In the controlled group prevailed those with esophagitis gr III ( n= 52; 65 %) and esophagitis gr IIb (n= 28; 35 %), gastritis gr. IIb( n= 55; 68,75 %)and gastritis gr III (n= 25; 31,25 %). Analysis of the results has shown a high percentage of esophageal stenosis in both groups 25 days after poisoning (31.82% v.s 43.75%), three and six months after poisoning (36.36% v.s. 52.50%) and also gastric injuries 25 days after the poisoning ( 37,88 % v.s. 46,25 %), three and six months after the poisoning (40,91% v.s 53,75%) In spite of the not significant difference, the results of our investigation have shown that the group with “esophageal rest” (NPO) had a smaller percentage of post-corrosive complications than the patients who were given food or liquids immediately after poisoning. [Med Arch 2010; 64(6.000): 320-323]

caustic poisonings, caustic injuries, esophageal rest, post-corrosive stenosis