Esophageal ulcer due to ingestion of melted copper

Summary We report a patient with esophageal stricture as a result of the accidental swallowing of melted copper by a 49-year-old male. As a result, esophagogastric ulcers developed and left a cicatrical stricture. The patient could only manage to swallow liquid food. Radiology of the upper gastrointestinal tract showed marked stricture of the esophagus from the middle thoracic portion to the esophagogastric junction and shortening of the lesser curvature of the stomach. The patient underwent a single-session total gastrectomy, and excision of the thoracic esophagus and construction of anterior thoracic esophagocolic and duodenocolic anastomoses were performed by right thoracotomy and laparotomy, respectively. Macroscopic findings of the surgical specimens showed extensive circular ulcers at the esophagus, and microscopic findings showed deep ulcers extending to the muscle layer with marked fibrosis. The postoperative course was uneventful.