Author(s)

Warou Dolou^1*, Stephen LA Lawson¹, Sonia Lawson Afouda², François Avakoudjo², Wassi Adjibabi², Berndadette Vignikin-Yehouessi²

¹Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Teaching Hospital of Kara, Kara, Togo.
²Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, University Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou MAGA (HKM), Cotonou, Benin.

Background: known since more than 5000 years, tracheotomy is indicated in severe obstructions of the upper airways or in improvement of ventilation in cases of problematic tracheal intubation. Its usefulness and efficiency are certain, but it needs regular assessments. Aim: to determine the frequency of tracheotomies in ENT at CNHU of Cotonou, identify the indications, surgical technics and the postoperative course. Materials and methods: the study was retrospective, based on files of patients who have had tracheotomies for ten years since 2010. Results: in 10 years, 105 tracheotomies were performed for 99 patients, average 10 to 11 per year. Patients were male in 61.9%. Extreme of age where 09 months and 80 years old. Children under15 were concerned in 41.9%, while patients from 45 to 64 years old in 33.3%. Emergency tracheotomy represented 76%. Causes were tumors in 62.8%. Laryngeal papillomatosis was the predominant tumor in children; 28 cases or 26.67%. In adults, larynx cancer represented 20%. Skin incisions were horizontal in 94.3%. Tracheal opening was “H-shaped” in 92.4%. Complications occurred in 28.6%. They included granuloma (13.3%) and oeso-tracheal fistula (1.9%). Decanulation was possible in 87.6%, but it was more difficult in children. Conclusion: tracheotomy was an act of rescue in our practice.

Tracheotomy, ENT Tumors, Emergency

Dolou, W. , Lawson, S. , Afouda, S. , Avakoudjo, F. , Adjibabi, W. and Vignikin-Yehouessi, B. (2021) Tracheotomy in ENT at CNHU HKM of Cotonou. International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 10, 526-535. doi: 10.4236/ijohns.2021.106047.