| ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2001 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 2 | Page : 85-86 |
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Impacted oesophageal coin in Nigerian children
S Elusoji1, MO Ibadin2
1 Department of Surgery, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
2 Department of Paediatics, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
M O Ibadin
Department of Paediatrics, University of Benin, Benin City
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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Aim: To highlight the health hazards associated with ingestion of the readily available but relatively worthless Nigerian coin by children.
Methods: Medical records of cases of impacted oesophageal foreign bodies occurring in childhood over a seven year period were retrospectively analysed.
Results: The Nigerian coins were implicated in 14 cases. In 57.2% retention occurred at the upper third of the oesophagus while the middle was affected in 6 (42.8%) cases. Mean (±SEM) age was 4.60±0.60 years while the modal age bracket was 3.0-6.0 years. About 60.0% of those affected were males. Removal of coins was achieved in 13 (92.9%) children through oesophagoscopy while case fatality rate was 14.3%. Mean hospital stay, post-op, was 14.4 ± 9.9 days.
Conclusions: As a result of the health hazards, prohibitive cost of care for such patients, unwarranted disruption in the social life of the family of the affected child vis a vis the relative economic worthlessness of the Nigerian coin today, it is suggested that they be withdrawn from circulation.
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