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Abstract: Aim: This study aims to identify the presentation of patients that ingested caustic substances according to their social and demographic factors, cause of ingestion, symptoms and diagnosis. Material and methods: The data was made from 239 patients that ingested caustic substances. Results: The results show that the incidence rate of these cases in our clinic was 0,5/ 100.000 habitants; this incidence has decreased over the 90s decade. The caustic ingestions were more common in female patients, 56,9%) (153); the causes of ingestion were suicide attempts (59,8%) and accidental ingestions (37,2(%); the suicide attempts have decreased over the last decade. The amount of caustic substance ingested were from little pieces until three full soup spoons; among the suicidals this amount seems to be bigger. Conclusion: The symptoms were pain, vomiting, excessive salivation, dysphagia, gag reflexes and oral injuries. The accurate correlation of the signs and symptoms with caustic substance amount ingested seems to be an important indication of prognosis and caustic injuries evolution. The esophagoscopy can identificate the severity of the burns, indicate the therapeutic plan, estimate the prognosis and admission time, in those cases with caustic amount not known. The diagnosis of complications should be done by radiographic techniques using contrast media, CT and blood tests.
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