A Review of Upper Aerodigestive Emergencies Managed at Two Tertiary-level Hospitals in Semi-urban Cameroon
Background: Upper aerodigestive emergencies (UADEs) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We sought to define the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients presenting with UADEs, describe the causes of emergencies, and report treatment and outcomes in our setting. Materials an...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Surgical Society of Kenya
2025-07-01
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| Series: | The Annals of African Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.annalsofafricansurgery.com/review-of-upper-aerodigestive-emergencies |
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| Summary: | Background: Upper aerodigestive emergencies (UADEs) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We sought to define the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients presenting with UADEs, describe the causes of emergencies, and report treatment and outcomes in our setting. Materials and methods: This study was a hospital-based retrospective study, conducted in two tertiary-level hospitals located in semi-urban settings in Cameroon. We included records of all patients admitted and treated for UADEs from January 2014 to December 2023. Results: Seventy-four files were included in the study. Males were predominant (46; 62.2%), and the most represented age group was 1–10 years (19; 25.7%). Infections (31; 41.9%), neoplasms (15; 20.3%), foreign bodies (12; 16.2%), trauma (11; 14.9%), and caustic injury (5; 6.7%) were the causes identified. The majority of patients (56; 75.7%) were treated surgically, among whom nine (16.1%) had tracheotomies. Endoscopy was used for 10 patients (13.5%), while 8 (10.8%) were managed conservatively. The outcome was good for the majority of patients (67; 90.5%). Causes that were significantly associated with poor outcomes were neoplasms (odd’s ratio [OR] 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–6.8, p = 0.03) and caustic injury (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.2–8.3, p = 0.02). Conclusion: The outcome of UADEs was generally good. Infectious causes that are mostly preventable by immunization and effective antibiotic therapy are predominant. |
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| ISSN: | 1999-9674 2523-0816 |