Case Reports
Vol. 21 No. 4 (2025)
Accidental ingestion of dishwasher detergent by an elderly patient: a case of successful conservative management
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: 24 August 2025
Accepted: 29 September 2025
Accepted: 29 September 2025
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Accidental ingestion of household cleaning products is a common reason for visits to the emergency department. The broad spectrum of clinical symptoms, along with a higher prevalence in vulnerable patients, complicates the correct management of these cases. We present the case of a 91-year-old man with dementia who was admitted after accidentally ingesting dishwasher detergent. He complained of chest pain and a sensation of upper airway obstruction. Initially, the patient’s vital signs were stable, and radiological imaging results were negative, but his condition quickly deteriorated, leading to esophageal perforation complicated by mediastinitis. The patient was managed by a multidisciplinary team that included emergency physicians, otolaryngologists, toxicologists, endoscopists, and surgeons with a good outcome. This case demonstrates how a coordinated, multidisciplinary strategy, coupled with careful monitoring, can lead to a successful conservative treatment outcome in an elderly patient with numerous comorbidities and a complex medication regimen.
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Citations
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How to Cite
Accidental ingestion of dishwasher detergent by an elderly patient: a case of successful conservative management. (2025). Emergency Care Journal, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2025.14278
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