J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2017 Aug;28(4):399-402. 10.0000/jksem.2017.28.4.399.

A Successful Management after Cement Ingestion: A Case Report

• Lee SH
• Lee KW

• KMID: 2393986
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2017.28.4.399

Abstract

Cases of the cement ingestion are rare. This paper reports the successful management of cement ingestion with gastric lavage and endoscopic washing. A 69-year-old man who had a stuporous mentality and seizures visited the local emergency room. He was found in his room with cement powder and several liquor bottles. He underwent a gastric lavage in the prior emergency room, which showed evidence of cement ingestion. He was transferred to the emergency center after primary care. Cement mixed with water is a strong alkali and acts as a caustic agent in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it can become hard in a few hours and sometimes produce gastric bezoars. Generally, gastric lavage is not recommended for caustic agents. On the other hand, gastric lavage and endoscopic washing was performed repeatedly for successful removal despite the physical and chemical characteristics of cement. Therefore, the active removal of ingested cement by both gastric lavage and endoscopic washing is recommended.

Keyword

Cement; Alkali; Ingestion; Gastric lavage; Endoscopy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Alkalies
Bezoars
Eating*
Emergencies
Emergency Service, Hospital
Endoscopy
Gastric Lavage
Gastrointestinal Tract
Hand
Humans
Primary Health Care
Seizures
Stupor
Water
Alkalies
Water