The surgical complications of pentazoine addiction among health workers in the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospitals

Objective: To present some of the hazards prevalent because of the usage of pentazocine injection and create awareness for the prevention and early detection of its resulting complications to reduce morbidity and mortality in our environment. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo and Ogbomoso centers. Patients and Methods: The surgical management of 11 health workers with complications because of pentazocine injection between December 2013 and November 2014. Results: Eleven health workers presented with complications, which needed surgical intervention, because of pentazocine injection. Among the health workers, five were females and six were males, with four medical doctors, three nurses, three attendants, and one medical student. Conclusion: A lack of knowledge regarding the risks because of pentazocine addiction and the easy availability of this drug over the counter have contributed immensely to the insurgence of its surgical complications. Health education should be directed toward prevention, early diagnosis, and management to abolish or reduce morbidity associated with these complications.