TITLE:
Foreign Bodies in the Lower Airways: Patient Pathways and Management at the ENT Department of Donka National Hospital, Guinea
AUTHORS:
Ibrahima Diallo, Mamadou Mouctar Ramata Diallo, Ismaël Dabo, Sayon Kourouma, Mamadou Aliou Diallo, Alseny Camara, Alseny Cissé, Raphan Mady Kaba Keïta, Aminata G. Diallo, Mamadou Cellou Bah, Youssouf Bapaté Barry, Alpha Oumar Barry, Abdoulaye Bayo, Mohamed Casimir Kaman, Abdoulaye Keita, Alpha Oumar Diallo
KEYWORDS:
Pathway, Foreign Bodies, Lower Airways, Treatment, Guinea
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery,
Vol.14 No.1,
January
15,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Foreign bodies (FB) in the lower airways (LAs) constitute a potentially life-threatening emergency requiring immediate management. The objective of our study was to describe the patient pathway and management of foreign bodies in the lower airways. Methodology: This was a descriptive study with retrospective data collection conducted over a 6-year period (January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019) in the ENT and Head and Neck Surgery Department of Donka National Hospital. Results: We observed a prevalence of 1.79%. The average age was 5.71 years, with a sex ratio of 1.2. However, 82.61% of the cases originated from rural areas. We noted that 78.83% of patients were referred after visiting 1 to 2 healthcare facilities (75.36%). The consultation delay was 3 days. Penetration syndrome was present in 98.56% of cases. The foreign body incidents occurred during play in 54.84% and during meals in 29.09% of cases. Radiographs were performed in 93.9% of cases. Endoscopy was used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in all patients. The foreign bodies were located in the trachea (37.68%), larynx (26.08%), and bronchi (21.73%). Non-organic foreign bodies were predominant (52.17%). Postoperative outcomes were uncomplicated in 95.98% of cases, and the lethality rate was 2.85%. Conclusion: The pathway of patients with foreign bodies in the airways remains unpredictable in our context due to parental hesitations. Early management reduces morbidity and mortality rates.