RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chest trauma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hospital based studies in Nigeria show it predominantly affects the youth in society. Aim & Objectives: To determine the pattern and management outcomes of patient presenting with chest trauma at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of 73 consecutive patients managed for chest injuries between January 2008 and February 2009 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 31.5years and median age of 29years. About 81% of the patients were 42yrs and below while 10% were more than 50yrs old. About 88% of the patients were males while 12% were females giving a male: female ratio of 1:7 Most (56%) of the patients were single. Motor Vehicular Accidents (MVAs) accounted for 52% while 43%% were due to violence or assaults. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 15% while Cars, Buses, Vans, Trucks accounted for 37%. Penetrating trauma accounted for 43% of which gunshot wounds accounted for 25%, and stab injuries accounted for 13(18%). About 53% were isolated blunt chest injuries whereas 43% were isolated penetrating chest injuries; 4% of the cases sustained both penetrating and blunt injuries. About 27% presented within an hour of injury, while in all, 95% of the patients presented within 24hours of injury. Diaphragmatic injuries were sustained in 6(8%) patients while cardiac injury was observed in one patient. CONCLUSION: Chest trauma predominantly affects the youth with high morbidity and mortality in this environment. Public enlightenment with prompt and effective treatment will impact positively on this persistent problem.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Inadvertently swallowed dentures occur in senile patients, alcoholics and those with loose fitting dentures. In the oesophagus, they may lodge at the cricopharyngeal sphincter, point where the left main stem bronchus crosses the oesophagus or the lower oesophageal sphincter. When impacted they may cause pressure necrosis with time, suppuration and perforation, which may lead to mediastinitis. AIM OF THE STUDY: Audit of patients with swallowed dentures at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective study of all cases of swallowed dentures seen from June 2005 to June 2012. RESULTS: The clinical records of 44 patients were extracted and analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 51.9 ± 16.6yrs with a male: female ratio of 8:7. The mean age of the males was 52.6 ± 14.3 years, and 46.6 ± 19.0 years for females. 43 (96.7%) had rigid oesophagoscopy under general anaesthesia for extraction. Retrieval was successful at first attempt in 37(86.7%) while three had cervical oesophagotomy. One had successful removal of the impacted denture by flexible oesophagoscopy with the use of polyp snare while two had thoracotomy for extraction. Complications included perforation with subsequent mediastinitis and death in one patient and subsequent tracheo-oesophageal fistula in one patient. CONCLUSION: Rigid oesophagoscopy and retrieval of ingested dentures is a safe procedure with good outcome and associated with minimal morbidity and mortality.
