Tracheoesophageal fistula. A complication of foreign body

The case presented is one in which a coin in the esophagus resulted in a tracheoesophageal fistula. It is of interest not only because the occurrence is unusual, but also because the coin remained in the esophagus for an extraordinarily long period before the condition became symptomatic. The various factors responsible for the delay in getting medical help, including the nonavailability of medical services in many parts of Nigeria, are discussed.