Paediatric Otorhinolaryngological, Head and Neck Procedures in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Care Centre

Background: There is wide spectrum of paediatric otorhinolaryngology surgical conditions affecting children in developing countries. Paediatric otolaryngological surgical procedures represent a major part of all otolaryngology surgeries in developing countries. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, sociodemographic features, types of ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgical procedures, outcomes and associated complications in our center. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective hospital based study of otorhinolaryngologic paediatric procedures. The study was carried out from August 2013 to July 2018. Data for this study was obtained from the medical record department, ENT clinic operation booking register for both minor and major surgery and theatre operation register. Data obtained were collated, documented and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: Prevalence of paediatric otorhinolaryngology, head and neck procedures was 20.1%. Clinic and theatre procedures accounted for 86.7% and 13.3% respectively. Elective and emergency procedures constituted 81.8% and 18.2% respectively. There were 57.2% males with male to female ratio of 1.5:1. Otologic procedures accounted for 57.2% out of which otologic foreign body removal occurred in 20.2%. Sinonasal procedures occurred in 24.8% from which sinonasal foreign body removal occurred in 18.9%. Paediatric throat procedures occurred in 16.0% out of which adenoidectomy was performed in 6.8%. Head and neck procedures accounted for 1.9% and commonest of these was lymph nodes biopsy in 0.9%. Minor procedures in 86.7% were commoner than major procedures in 7.2%. Commonest complication from paediatric otorhinolaryngology procedures was wound infection 4.0%. Conclusion: Paediatric otolaryngology, head and neck surgical procedures are common encountered in our practice. The prevalence in this study was 20.1% with otological surgical procedures been the commonest. There are associated complications as well as greater level of our patient’s satisfaction