Indications to consider performing endoscopy:
(1) The presence of oral burns.
(2) The presence of signs and symptoms for corrosive injury (pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, vomiting, drooling, inability to swallow, hematemesis, stridor).
(3) Intentional ingestion of a significant amount of alkali
where:
• Not everyone with oral burns has esophageal injury, and not everyone with esophageal injury has oral burns.
• The accidental swallowing of a small amount of dilute alkali would not be an indication for endoscopy.
Contraindications:
(1) The presence of upper airway obstruction.
(2) The presence of signs and symptoms suggesting esophageal or gastric perforation.
(3) More than 48 hours since exposure (since the risk of perforation by the procedure may be increased.)
