Abstract:

Background: Emergencies of the upper aero-digestive tract emergencies (UADTEs) are common in our setting, can be life threatening, challenging to the otolaryngologists and yet there is a paucity of clinical studies on these emergencies. This study aimed to determine the clinical profile, treatment modalities and outcomes of upper aero- digestive tract emergencies at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods: Between January and May 2019, a cross sectional study involving patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of UADTEs was conducted at BMC. Data on sociodemography, clinical presentation, duration of symptoms, time interval between admission and intervention, type of intervention, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were collected in questionnaire designed for the study. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Joint CUHAS/BMC Research, Ethics and Review Committee.

Results: Of 487 ENT emergencies seen during study period, 128 (26.3%) patients had UADTEs. Male outnumbered females by a ratio of 1.5: 1. Their median age at presentation was 5 [range, 2-40] years. The major causes of UADTEs were foreign body ingestion, head& neck tumors and foreign body aspiration and cut-throat injuries that were seen in 56(43.8%), 33(25.8%), 25(19.5%) and (3.9%) respectively. The most frequent presentations were dysphagia 81(63.3%), difficulty in breathing 61(47.7%) and odynophagia 56(43.8). Poor outcome following esophagoscopy was associated with younger age (0-17 years) (p=0.02), prolonged duration to treatment (p=0.04) and low blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) (p=0.04). In addition, delayed duration to treatment (p=0.01) and foreign body ingestion (p=0.001) were significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay.

Conclusion: At Bugando Medical Centre, UADTE pose a serious burden and challenge. Peripheral hospitals should be equipped with trained health workers and basic equipment to resuscitate and manage these patients before they are referred to otolaryngologists.