TITLE:
Emergency Tracheotomy: Nine Years Experiences in National Center Hospital of Nouakchott, Mauritania
AUTHORS:
Dahi Mohamed Elmoctar, Cheikh Sidi, Sidi Mohamed Jiyide, Lamine Mohamedou Keita, Mariem Aziza Sass, Leziza Sass, Sidi Brahim, Ladour Abdel Vatah, Jiddou S. Baba, T’feil Yahya, Ahmedou Moulaye Idriss, Mahfoudh Mohamed Vall
KEYWORDS:
Emergency, Trachea, Tracheotomy, Complications, Mauritania
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Emergency Medicine,
Vol.9 No.2,
April
15,
2021
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Tracheotomy is a commonly performed procedure, but with very large disparities according to the teams, both in terms of frequency and modality (percutaneous or surgical), tracheotomy has been evolved with medical advances. The objective of this study was to clarify the indications and complications of emergency tracheotomies at the National hospital center (CHN) in Nouakchott Mauritania. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study of tracheotomies performed in the ENT department of the CHN during the period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018. The indications and complications were noted, as well as the modalities and time of decannulation. Results: Tracheotomy was motivated by upper airway obstruction (UAO) in 139 (94%) cases (mean age 32.5 years), or the need for prolonged ventilation in 8 patients (median age 46 years). Sixteen (7%) early complications were noted with 5 untimely decannulations including one fatal and 5 obstructive plug responsible for another death. Six pneumothorax was observed. Fifteen (26%) late complications required additional surgery; 7% (n = 11) of patients were decannulated with a mean duration of tracheotomy 26 months. In 19 (28%) cases of decannulations, the persistence of a tracheocutaneous fistula required surgery. Conclusion: Emergency tracheotomy is a survival gesture that is sure to be effective. A tracheotomy is not deprived of complications. Familiarity with the technique, the right choice of equipment, perfect knowledge of the anatomical relationships of the trachea, rigorous monitoring and postoperative care represent the main conditions for minimizing the risk of complications.