ESOPHAGEAL OBSTRUCTION DUE TO SERUTAN

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Abstract
Recent medical literature contains few reports1of esophageal obstruction resulting from ingestion of hygroscopic substances. These hygroscopic substances become swollen and spongy on the addition of water. If an insufficient quantity of water or fluid is taken after ingestion of the hygroscopic material and/or if transient spasm or constriction in the esophagus occurs, the rapidly swelling mass may become trapped. We encountered a patient with a subtotal gastric resection in whom Serutan caused an esophageal obstruction. The manufacturer of Serutan states that it is a hydrogel obtained from Plantago ovata and extracted from sugar beets from which the roughage has been removed. REPORT OF A CASE This 69-year-old patient entered the hospital on May 13, 1949, 12 to 13 hours after he had ingested Serutan. Without reading the directions first, he ingested two teaspoonfuls of dry Serutan and then had taken a "swallow of water." Almost immediately the patient

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