A cross-sectional study of cryptorchidism in children: testicular volume and hormonal function at 18 years of age.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between unilateral or bilateral criptorchidism, patient age, primary location of the gonad and modality of treatment with testicular volume and hormonal status at 18 years in patients diagnosed and treated for cryptorchidism during childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testicular volume, LH, FSH, and testosterone were evaluated in 143 young men at 18 years treated in childhood for unilateral (n=103) or bilateral (n=40) cryptorchidism. RESULTS: Unilateral cryptorchidism: Location of testis was prescrotal in 36 patients, inguinal in 52 and non-palpable in 15. The mean volume was 9.7 mL compared to 16.2 L. for the spontaneously descended testicle in unilateral cryptorchidism. However, 22 patients who received HCG had a significantly bigger testis (11.8 mL.) than those treated with primary surgery (9.2 mL). The results showed a significant positive correlation between testicular volume and patient age at treatment. Bilateral cryptorchidism: Location of testis was prescrotal in 34 cases, inguinal in 40 and 6 patients with non-palpable testicles. Mean volume at 18 years was 12.9 mL, greater than unilateral cryptorchid testis (9.7 mL) but smaller than healthy contralateral in unilateral cases (16.2 mL). There were significant differences in the testicular growth for bilateral patients with testicular descent after being treated with HCG (14.4 mL) in respect with those untreated (11.1 mL) or those who underwent primary surgery (11.4 mL). There was a significant positive correlation between the testicular volume and palpable (12.4 mL) or non-palpable testis (10.4 mL). There was a correlation between unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism and levels of FSH. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular volume and hormonal function at 18 years for patients diagnosed and treated for cryptorchidism during childhood are strongly influenced by whether the undescended testis was unilateral or bilateral. Location of the testes at diagnosis or age of initial treatment exerts no definite effect on testicular volume improvement r hormonal levels at 18 years of age.

A cross-sectional study of cryptorchidism in children: testicular volume and hormonal function at 18 years of age

Purpose To evaluate the relationship between unilateral or bilateral criptorchidism, patient age, primary location of the gonad and modality of treatment with testicular volume and hormonal status at 18 years in patients diagnosed and treated for cryptorchidism during childhood. Materials and Methods Testicular volume, LH, FSH, and testosterone were evaluated in 143 young men at 18 years treated in childhood for unilateral (n=103) or bilateral (n=40) cryptorchidism. Results Unilateral cryptorchidism: Location of testis was prescrotal in 36 patients, inguinal in 52 and non-palpable in 15. The mean volume was 9.7 mL compared to 16.2 mL. for the spontaneously descended testicle in unilateral cryptorchidism. However, 22 patients who received HCG had a significantly bigger testis (11.8 mL.) than those treated with primary surgery (9.2 mL). The results showed a significant positive correlation between testicular volume and patient age at treatment. Bilateral cryptorchidism Location of testis was prescrotal in 34 cases, inguinal in 40 and 6 patients with non-palpable testicles. Mean volume at 18 years was 12.9 mL, greater than unilateral cryptorchid testis (9.7 mL) but smaller than healthy contralateral in unilateral cases (16.2 mL). There were significant differences in the testicular growth for bilateral patients with testicular descent after being treated with HCG (14.4 mL) in respect with those untreated (11.1 mL) or those who underwent primary surgery (11.4 mL). There was a significant positive correlation between the testicular volume and palpable (12.4 mL) or non-palpable testis (10.4 mL). There was a correlation between unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism and levels of FSH. Conclusions Testicular volume and hormonal function at 18 years for patients diagnosed and treated for cryptorchidism during childhood are strongly influenced by whether the undescended testis was unilateral or bilateral. Location of the testes at diagnosis or ...

Tratamiento quirúrgico de los quistes ováricos perinatales / Surgical treatment of perinatal ovarian cysts

Introducción. Los quistes ováricos perinatales se diagnostican cada vez con mayor frecuencia debido al uso rutinario de la ecografía prenatal y neonatal. Objetivo. Presentar nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento quirúrgico de quistes ováricos perinatales. Material y método. Revisión de las historias clínicas de 10 neonatos con diagnóstico de quiste ovárico sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico en los últimos 20 años. Resultados. Los quistes ováricos se detectaron antenatalmente en8 casos y en edad neonatal en 2. La presentación clínica fue una masa abdominal palpable asintomática en 7 casos, y en 3 la exploración fue normal. El origen ovárico de la masa abdominal se determinó mediante ecografía en 8 pacientes y en 2 se realizó adicionalmente 1 TAC y1 RMN abdominal. La ecografía diferenció 7 quistes complejos y 3 simples. Intraoperatoriamente se evidenciaron 6 quistes complicados, delos cuales 5 fueron torsionados y 1 hemorrágico. El tratamiento quirúrgico consistió en 5 salpingooforectomías, 2 ooforectomías y 3 quistectomías. Conclusiones. La torsión ovárica constituye la complicación más (..) (AU)

Introduction. Actually, the perinatal ovarian cysts are increasingly being diagnosed by prenatal and neonatal ultrasound. Objective. We reported our experience in the surgical management of perinatal ovarian cysts. Patients and methods. We have reviewed the clinical charts of 10female newborns diagnosed of ovarian cysts who underwent surgical management in our hospital from 1989 to 2009. Results. The ovarian cysts were diagnosed antenatally in 8 cases and period neonatal in 2 cases. The clinical presentation was asymptomatic abdominal mass in (..) (AU)

Hernia de Amyand infantil presentándose como escroto agudo / Infantile amyand's hernia presenting as acute scrotum

La hernia de Amyand es una patología de presentación excepcional en los niños y se define por la presencia del apéndice inflamado dentro de una hernia inguinal. Puede manifestarse clínicamente como escroto agudo, linfadenitis inguinal o hernia estrangulada. El tratamiento esquirúrgico y aunque se describen diversos abordajes, la apendicectomíay herniotomía vía inguinal se considera de elección (AU)

Amyand´s hernia is a condition of exceptional presentation in children and is defined by the presence of inflamed appendix inside a inguinalhernia. It may manifest clinically as acute scrotum, inguinal lymphadenitis or strangulated hernia. The treatment is surgical and although several approaches are described, appendectomy with herniotomy byinguinal approach is considered of choice (AU

[Surgical treatment of perinatal ovarian cysts]. / Tratamiento quirürgico de los quistes ováricos perinatales.

INTRODUCTION: Actually, the perinatal ovarian cysts are increasingly being diagnosed by prenatal and neonatal ultrasound. OBJECTIVE: We reported our experience in the surgical management of perinatal ovarian cysts. Patients and methods. We have reviewed the clinical charts of 10 female newborns diagnosed of ovarian cysts who underwent surgical management in our hospital from 1989 to 2009. RESULTS: The ovarian cysts were diagnosed antenatally in 8 cases and period neonatal in 2 cases. The clinical presentation was asymptomatic abdominal mass in 7 cases. Ultrasound confirmed the ovarian mass in 8 patients. CT scan and MRI were necessary for confirm suspected diagnosis in two patients. Ultrasonography showed 7 complex cysts and 3 simple cysts. Surgery of the complicated cysts revealed ovarian torsion in 5 cases and 1 hemorragic cyst. At surgery, 5 patients underwent salpingooophorectomy, 2 patients needed oophorectomy and in 3 cases only cystectomy were necessary. CONCLUSION: The ovarian torsion is the most common complication and the cause of loss of the ovary. The neonatal ovarian cysts greater than 5 centimetres, symptomatic cysts, complex cysts and cysts persisting for more than 6 months need surgical intervention.

[Infantile Amyand's hernia presenting as acute scrotum]. / Hernia de amyand infantil presentándose como escroto agudo.

Amyand's hernia is a condition of exceptional presentation in children and is defined by the presence of inflamed appendix inside a inguinal hernia. It may manifest clinically as acute scrotum, inguinal lymphadenitis or strangulated hernia. The treatment is surgical and although several approaches are described, appendectomy with herniotomy by inguinal approach is considered of choice.

Colecistectomía en niños: nuestra experiencia con 37 casos / Cholecystectomy in children: our experience with 37 cases

Introducción. Las indicaciones de colecistectomía en niños han experimentado un cambio gradual y el número de colecistectomías ha incrementado, considerando a la colecistectomía laparoscópica de elección. Objetivo. Determinar las indicaciones, tipo de colecistectomía, tiempo operatorio, estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones, procedimientos concomitantes y hallazgos anatomopatológicos. Material y método. Estudio descriptivo. Revisión de 37 historiasclínicas de pacientes colecistectomizados. Resultados. Evaluamos 37 pacientes (16 niños y 21 niñas) con edad media 9 años. Las indicaciones fueron: litiasis biliar 33, colecistitis aguda 2, tumor de vesícula 1 y vesícula tabicada 1. El 68% fueron colecistectomías laparoscópicas (tiempo operatorio: 84 minutos y estancia hospitalaria: 8 días) y el 32% abiertas( tiempo operatorio: 103 minutos y estancia hospitalaria: 14 días). Como complicación laparoscópica hubo una apertura accidental del conducto hepático común. Procedimientos concomitantes fueron: 9 colangiografías intraoperatorias, 5 biopsiashepáticas, 3 esplenectomías, 2 apendicectomías, entre otros. La anatomía patológica mostró: colecistitis litiásica crónica 30, vesícula normal3, colecistitis crónica 1, adenocarcinoma de vesícula 1, cambios inflamatorios crónicos 2. Conclusiones. La principal indicación de colecistectomía fue lalitiasis biliar. La mayoría fueron colecistectomías laparoscópicas con tiempo operatorio y estancia hospitalaria más cortos. La colangiografía intraoperatoria, biopsia hepática y esplenectomía fueron los procedimientos concomitantes más frecuentes. El hallazgo anatomopatológico principal fue la colecistitis litiásica crónica (AU)

Introduction. The indications of cholecystectomy in children had undergone a gradual change and the number of cholecystectomies had increased, considering to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy of election. Objective. To determine the indications, type of cholecystectomy, operative time, hospital stay, associate complications, concomitant procedures and pathologic findings. Material and method. Descriptive study. Revision of 37 clinicalhistories of cholecystectomics patients. Results. We evaluate 37 patients (16 boys and 21 girls) with age average 9 years. The indications were: cholelithiasis 33, acute cholecystitis 2, gallbladder tumor 1 and septate gallbladder 1. 68% were laparoscopic cholecystectomies (operative time: 84 minutes and hospital stay:8 days) and 32% open cholecystectomies (operative time: 103 minutes and hospital stay: 14 days). Laparoscopic complication was one unexpectec opening of common hepatic duct. Concomitant procedures were:9 intraoperative cholangiography, 5 hepatic biopsies, 3 splenectomies,2 appendectomies. The pathologic anatomy showed: chronic lithiasiccholecystitis 30, normal gallbladder 3, chronic cholecystitis 1, gallbladder adenocarcinoma 1, chronic inflammatory changes 2. Conclusions. The main indication of cholecystectomy was thecholelithiasis. The majority were laparoscopic cholecystectomies with shorter operative time and shorter hospital stay. The intraoperative cholangiography, hepatic biopsy and splenectomy were the more frequent concomitant procedures. Main pathologic finding was the chronic lithiasic cholecystitis (AU)

Relevance of herniography for accurate diagnosis of patent processus vaginalis in cryptorchidism.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of peritoneography in assessing the patency of processus vaginalis (PV) in pediatric patients diagnosed with cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the patency of PV in boys presenting cryptorchidism. Herniography was performed in 310 prepubertal boys. Data about the morphology of PV was compared with operative findings in those surgically treated patients. Retractile and ectopic testes were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 376 undescended testes (310 patients), 281 cases were associated with an obliterated PV. Herniography revealed 95 cases of open PV in cryptorchid boys. The 244 normally descended testes had associated patent processus vaginalis in only 31 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Herniography is the most relevant procedure for accurate diagnosis of persistent PV. The persistence of PV was significantly more frequent when the position of the testes is more cranial. The incidence of an open PV decreases with age.

Relevance of herniography for accurate diagnosis of patent processus vaginalis in cryptorchidism

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role of peritoneography in assessing the patency of processus vaginalis (PV) in pediatric patients diagnosed with cryptorchidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the patency of PV in boys presenting cryptorchidism. Herniography was performed in 310 prepubertal boys. Data about the morphology of PV was compared with operative findings in those surgically treated patients. Retractile and ectopic testes were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 376 undescended testes (310 patients), 281 cases were associated with an obliterated PV. Herniography revealed 95 cases of open PV in cryptorchid boys. The 244 normally descended testes had associated patent processus vaginalis in only 31 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Herniography is the most relevant procedure for accurate diagnosis of persistent PV. The persistence of PV was significantly more frequent when the position of the testes is more cranial. The incidence of an open PV decreases with age.

Endoscopia digestiva intervencionista en Pediatría / Digestive interventional endoscopy in pediatrics

La endoscopia pediátrica se ha trasformado lenta y progresivamente de una técnica puramente diagnóstica en una técnica terapéutica de primer orden. Todo ello gracias a la evolución tecnoló- gica y a la miniaturización del equipamiento. Estos procedimientos invasivos son realizados con anestesia general y representan una pequeña intervención quirúrgica, por lo que debe protocolizarse el uso del consentimiento informado. Muchos de ellos son realizados habitualmente en las unidades de endoscopia pediátrica: extracción de cuerpos extraños, dilatación esofágica, gastrostomía endoscópica percutá- nea, polipectomía; para otras técnicas existen pocas indicaciones: esclerosis de varices esofágicas, hemostasia en hemorragia digestiva, achalasia, y otras, por su excepcionalidad, como la colangiopancreatografía endoscópica retrógrada, son realizadas en colaboración con los endoscopistas de adultos que poseen una mayor experiencia en este campo. La endoscopia terapéutica es una técnica segura, efectiva y posible de realizar en la mayoría de las unidades de endoscopia pediá- trica (AU)

With development and improvement of the endoscope equipment, the paediatric endoscopy is developing from the diagnosis endoscopy to the interventional endoscopy. It is realized under general anaesthesia as a minimal invasive surgery and it is necessary to regularize the legal requirements. The main acts are realized in a current way in paediatrics endoscopy units: extraction of foreign body, dilation of oesophageal strictures, gastrostomy, polipectomy. Other indications are less frequent: injection sclerotherapy, haemostasis of upper GI bleeding or endoscopic achalasia treatment. The biliary and/or pancreatic lesions is rare in children, in these cases, interventional endoscopy is usually done with the collaboration of the adult endoscopists, with a far experience. Interventional endoscopy is a safe and effective technique that can be performed in all the pediatrics endoscopy units (AU)

Endobronchial tuberculous granuloma in children.

Endobronchial tuberculosis is rare in children, in whom it is usually a complication of primary tuberculosis. Endobronchial involvement may adopt several forms, with granuloma being infrequent. Here we report on 10 cases of endobronchial tuberculous granuloma diagnosed and treated in our Paediatric Surgery Service between 1991 and 2004. In 2 cases the presentation was acute and constituted the first manifestation of TB; the remaining patients were undergoing treatment or had been treated for primary TB, and presented with clinical symptoms or radiological signs that led us to suspect endobronchial involvement. In all cases the granuloma was removed by bronchoscopy. Patients received conventional medical TB treatment, with corticoids for 4 weeks following granuloma removal. The clinical course was favourable in all cases and on follow-up we saw no complications. Endobronchial tuberculous granuloma should be borne in mind in children with symptoms or signs of airway obstruction and especially during the course of tuberculosis treatment.

[Digestive interventional endoscopy in pediatrics]. / Endoscopia digestiva intervencionista en pediatría.

With development and improvement of the endoscope equipment, the paediatric endoscopy is developing from the diagnosis endoscopy to the interventional endoscopy. It is realized under general anaesthesia as a minimal invasive surgery and it is necessary to regularize the legal requirements. The main acts are realized in a current way in paediatrics endoscopy units: extraction of foreign body, dilation of oesophageal strictures, gastrostomy, polipectomy. Other indications are less frequent: injection sclerotherapy, haemostasis of upper GI bleeding or endoscopic achalasia treatment. The biliary and/or pancreatic lesions is rare in children, in these cases, interventional endoscopy is usually done with the collaboration of the adult endoscopists, with a far experience. Interventional endoscopy is a safe and effective technique that can be performed in all the pediatrics endoscopy units.

Aspectos clínicos de las enfermedades quirúrgicas pediátricas más comunes / Clinical aspects of the most common pediatric surgical diseases

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Handlebar hernia in children: two cases and review of the literature.

Localised traumatic abdominal hernias are rare. Most such hernias are due to the direct impact of the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle, with 20 cases reported to date in the English language literature, 12 in children. We report two new cases of handlebar hernia, in children aged 6 and 10 years. In both cases, physical examination revealed an area of contusion and bruising in the lower abdomen. However, the muscle defect was detected during the first examination in only one of the patients, and not until several days later in the other patient. Abdominal ultrasonography proved useful for diagnosis in both patients. Early surgical correction is necessary to prevent possible complications. This type of hernia should be borne in mind when evaluating children who have suffered abdominal trauma in a bicycle accident.

Dolor abdominal recurrente, el pediatra y el cirujano pediatra / Recurrent abdominal pain, the pediatrican and the pediatric surgeon

El Dolor Abdominal Recurrente (DAR), es un motivo frecuente de consulta pediátrica, que afecta al 34 por ciento de la población infantil. En el DAR puede existir notable incidencia de patología orgánica, hasta del 45 por ciento. Las indicaciones para la práctica de endoscopia digestiva en estos pacientes, debe ser protocolizada, siguiendo la normativa NASPGAN. La laparoscopia diagnóstica se debe usar selectivamente en pacientes con DAR. Si las molestias persisten durante más de 6 meses, y no se puede hacer un diagnóstico firme por otro método no invasivo, se debe realizar una laparoscopia diagnóstica. Al repasar la literatura se concluye que el DAR es solo una descripción, no diagnóstico simple y homogéneo (AU)

Chronic gastric volvulus: is it so rare?

Gastric volvulus has traditionally been considered a rare entity in children, and standard texts on paediatrics typically make scant reference to it. In our experience, however, careful radiographic study of children with digestive symptoms reveals gastric volvulus to be more frequent than is commonly thought. We report 52 cases of this disorder, and discuss its diagnosis and treatment. Material and Methods. We performed a retrospective study of all children treated for chronic gastric volvulus in our department since 1976. Results. All 52 patients (27 boys, 25 girls) were term infants, mean age 2.8 months at diagnosis. The principal symptoms were crying and colic (90 %), vomiting and nausea (67 %). The mean age at onset of symptoms was 1.1 months. Diagnosis was in all cases on the basis of upper intestinal transit studies. The most frequent radiological signs were high greater curvature (87 %) and greater curvature crossing the oesophagus (83 %). Nine of the 52 children underwent primary surgery. The remaining 43 patients underwent conservative (i.e. postural) treatment; 11 of these patients showed no significant improvement and thus underwent surgery. We performed 20 surgical interventions (19 simple anterior gastropexies and one a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy). All patients showed good recovery after surgery. Conclusion. Careful examination of patients with vomiting, abdominal distension, gastro-oesophageal reflux, colic, crying, retarded growth, sleep problems, anxiety, and even repeated respiratory infections will reveal chronic gastric volvulus with greater frequency than has traditionally been thought. We believe that this entity is often undetected, and that, as a result, it is often inappropriately treated.

Cuerpos extraños traqueobronquiales en la infancia. Revisión de 100 casos / Pediatric tracheobronchial foreign bodies. One hundred cases report

La aspiración de un cuerpo extraño (CE) es una urgencia común en la infancia, con una significativa morbi-mortalidad. Revisamos los datos clínicos, radiológicos, endoscópicos y el tratamiento de 100 niños (53 varones, 47 mujeres), con una edad media de 40.2 meses con aspiración de CE traqueobronquial, tratados mediante broncoscopia realizada en quirófano y bajo anestesia general. Existía historia de atragantamiento en 95 pacientes. La tos fue el síntoma predominante, 56 casos. La radiología resultó diagnóstica en 6 casos, normal en 28 y apoyó la sospecha en 64 casos. Se logró la extracción en los 100 casos. 10 CE se localizaron en tráquea, 48 en bronquio izquierdo y 42 en el derecho. 78 CE eran vegetales, 13 plásticos, 5 óseos y 4 metálicos. El retraso diagnóstico varió entre 2 horas y 3 meses. La sospecha de aspiración es motivo suficiente para indicar la broncoscopia, ya que la normalidad clínico-radiológica no excluye en absoluto la presencia de CE. (AU)

Laparoscopia en el varicocele pediátrico / Laparoscopic treatment in pediatric varicocele

Los varicoceles son comunes en la adolescencia, pero la elección del procedimiento quirúrgico es un tema controvertido. El objetivo de este trabajo es la evaluación de tratamiento laparoscópico del varicocele pediátrico. Analizamos retrospectivamente 61 pacientes entre los 3 y los 16 años, intervenidos en nuestro Servicio entre 1995 y 2001. La ligadura de los vasos espermáticos se ha practicado mediante clipaje, respetándose la arteria espermática únicamente en un paciente. La edad media operatoria fue de 12,8 años, y la estancia media 3 días. 12 varicoceles eran de grado II y 50 de grado III (1 bilateral). La ecografía preoperatoria no demostró patología intrabdominal o renal asociada. Los resultados clínicos a corto plazo fueron excelentes en el 96,5 per cent de los casos. La ecografía postoperatoria, demostró la ausencia de varicocele en 49 casos (80 per cent). No hubo complicaciones intraoperatorias. Apareció hidrocele izquierdo en 5 casos. El volumen testicular derecho ha aumentado 2,47 veces, y el izquierdo 2,56 veces. El abordaje laparoscópico es un método excelente en el tratamiento del varicocele pediátrico, no teniendo consecuencias valorables sobre el desarrollo testicular la sección de la arteria espermática (AU)

Influencia de la morfología del proceso peritoneovaginal sobre la eficacia del tratamiento hormonal en los pacientes criptorquídicos / Influence on the hormonal treatment in the cryptorchid children of the patency of the vaginal process

Con el objetivo de investigar el efecto de la permeabilidad del proceso peritoneo vaginal en la eficacia de tratamiento del hormonal en los pacientes criptorquidicos, hemos realizado un estudio prospectivo, ciego y controlado, en el cual se les realizo a todos los niños una herniografía. La muestra comprendió a 310 pacientes con criptorquidia verdadera (244 unilateral, 66 bilateral) y sin hernia/ hidrocele sintomático ú otras patologías. El rango de edad fue de 8 meses a 11 años y 5 meses. Todos los pacientes fueron tratados con Gonadotrofina Coriónica Humana por vía intramuscular a razón de dos dosis por semana durante 5 semanas; dosis total 2500 IU en pacientes menores de un año, 5000 IU de uno a seis años, 10000 IU de seis a once años. Se obtuvo el descenso testicular en el 37 por ciento de los testículos (139/ 376). La incidencia de descenso fue más alta para aquellos testículos situados inicialmente en posiciones más caudales.Considerando únicamente aquellos casos con proceso peritoneo vaginal obliterado, la incidencia de descenso testicular fue del 49,5 por ciento (139/ 281); ninguno de los 95 testículos asociados a un proceso peritoneo vaginal permeable descendió en respuesta al tratamiento hormonal.La identificación previa de la persistencia de permeabilidad del conducto peritoneo vaginal por medio de la herniografía, nos permite identificar a un significativo numero de pacientes en los cuales el tratamiento hormonal no será efectivo (AU)

Epidemiología por ingestión de cáustico de niños / Epidemiology of caustic ingestion by children

Un total de 743 niños menores de 14 años fueron estudiados por sospecha de ingestión de cáustico durante un periodo de 10 años. El 20.32 por ciento presentaron lesiones cáusticas, 88 de primer grado, 23 de 2° y 20 de 3°. Todos los pacientes con lesión de 2° y/o 3° grado recibieron tratamiento con esteroides y antibióticos. No existen diferencias estadísticas en la distribución anual, mensual ni semanal de las ingestiones. El 53.16 por ciento eran procedentes del medio urbano. El 84.92 por ciento de los niños eran menores de 3 años, con una edad media de 27.05 meses y una relación varon/mujer de 2/1. Todas las ingestiones fueron accidentales. La lejía fue ingerida en el 73.3 por ciento de los casos. Los agentes que mas causticaciones han causado fueron los lavavajillas industriales (59.09 por ciento), la sosa y los desatascadores (54.54 por ciento). Existe una relación de los alcalinos sobre los ácidos de 11/1. El hogar es el lugar mas frecuente de accidentes (58.27 por ciento) y dentro de el la cocina (48.3 por ciento). El cáustico, se encontraba fuera del envase original en el 74.8 por ciento de las ingestiones. No encontramos relación alguna entre la presencia o no de sintomatología o datos exploratorios positivos con el posterior hallazgo de lesiones esofágicas. 39 pacientes desarrollaron estenosis esofágica, de las que 21 requirieron tratamiento con dilatación esofágica. Creemos que la estrategia de una prevención a todos los niveles desde una fabricación de seguridad, normas de educación sanitaria, campañas de información especifica y directa así como envasado ideal: inviolable, económico y con poca cantidad de cáustico, es fundamental para la reducción de este tipo de accidentes (AU)