Death due to Soap-Saline Enema containing Liquid Lye: Case Reort.

Kim, Yu Hee; Choi, Young Shik; Kwon, Tae Jung

Case Report

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2000;24(1):61-67.
Published online May 31, 2000.

Death due to Soap-Saline Enema containing Liquid Lye: Case Reort.

Yu Hee Kim, Young Shik Choi, Tae Jung Kwon

Department of Forensic Medicine, National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea.

Abstract

The principal manifestation of poisoning induced by the alkaline substance is a corrosive effects in tissues. The alkalies combine with protein and fat of the tissue, causing deep penetrating injury and liquefactive necrosis of the organs. Liquid lye is the most frequently ingested form of corrosive agents and causes most of the deaths associated with corrosive agent ingestion. We have experienced 5 fatal cases which were accidentally administered liquid lye as soap-saline enema in the hospital during 30 days. the 3 cases of them were autopsied at this institute. At autopsy, the digestive tract including rectum, colon and small intestine revealed hemorrhagic necrosis with multiple area of perforation. Because these were the first proved cases that the liquid lye was used as enema solution, we report here.

Key Words: liquid lye, corrosion, soap-saline enema, death