INDICATIONS AND OUTCOMES OF TRACHEOSTOMY IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

Objective: Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure done to maintain a patent airway. We conducted a review of patients managed with tracheostomy at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Tamale, Ghana. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study of all patients managed with tracheostomy at the ENT Unit, TTH from January 2013 to June 2018. The data collected included the age, sex, indication for tracheostomy, primary diagnosis, type of tracheostomy and outcome of management. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 20. Results: Fifty-four patients were managed with tracheostomies made up of 36 males and 18 females with a ratio of 2:1. The age ranged from 17 months to 79 years with a mean age of 41.6 years. Four-tracheostomies were performed as emergencies on account of upper airway obstruction. The most common underlying cause for the emergency tracheostomies were laryngeal cancers 17 (31.5%), deep neck space abscesses 15 (27.8%) and head and neck trauma 7 (13). Elective tracheostomies were performed for prolonged intubation for mechanical ventilation and as prophylaxis for oro-maxillofacial surgery. Conclusion: The most common indications for tracheostomy in Northern Ghana were upper airway obstruction secondary to laryngeal cancers and complicated deep neck space abscesses.