Indications and immediate outcomes of tracheostomy in Rwanda

Abstract

Introduction: Tracheostomy is performed as an alternative to the natural breathing airways for upper airway obstruction, pulmonary toilet or for protecting the larynx. It is a common procedure in surgical departments. Objectives: The study aimed at evaluating the immediate outcomes of tracheostomy and the incidence of immediate complications associated with tracheostomy. Methods: Using a questionnaire, prospective data was collected from patients, who presented in Ear, Nose and Throat department at the Kigali University Teaching Hospital (KUTH). Results: 29 patients underwent a tracheostomy. The age rang was 4 to 77 years, mean of 37 years, 82.8% were aged above 18 years. Male to female ratio was 3.8:1. The incidence of tracheostomy was 9.5%. The most common indication was prolonged intubation accounting for 55.2% of cases. No intra -operative

Tracheostomy-related indications, early complications and their predictors among patients in low resource settings: a prospective cohort study in the pre-COVID-19 era

“…This study found a comparable distribution of indications at the two study sites probably because of the similarity in patients’ sociodemographic characteristics as shown in Table 1 , or disease epidemiology and risk for trauma given that they are both urban-based hospitals. We also found pulmonary toilet as the commonest indication which is at variance with what was previously reported in various African studies that found upper airway obstruction as the commonest indication [ 6 , 19 – 21 ] while others reported anticipated prolonged intubation as the commonest at 55.2% and 95% in Rwanda and India respectively [ 22 , 23 ]. The discrepancy may have been because comparison studies that found upper airway obstruction as commonest differed from ours regarding to admission diagnoses.…”

Tracheostomy Practices for Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Malawi

“…Although tracheostomy is essential surgery within a healthcare system, literature describing its use in the low‐income countries of sub‐Saharan Africa is scarce. One report by Charles et al prospectively characterized all Otolaryngology referrals at a tertiary hospital in Rwanda over an 8‐month period and found that the majority of patients who required tracheostomy were critically ill and 75% had a severe head injury [11]. A retrospective study conducted in northern Nigeria found that 26% of tracheostomies were provided to patients with traumatic injuries [12].…”