Neck trauma: a profile of experience from otorhinolaryngology unit of a referral hospital in North West Nigeria

Authors

  • Daniel Aliyu Department of ENT, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Iseh Kufre Robert Department of ENT, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Yikawe Stephen Semen Department of ENT, Nigerian Airforce Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
  • Amutta Baba Stanley Department of ENT, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Abdullahi Mohammed Department of ENT, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Adeyeye Folusho Mercy Department of ENT, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Solomon Joseph Hassan Department of ENT, Nigerian Airforce Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria
  • Caleb Manya Department of ENT, Federal Medical Centre, Gusau, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20194403

Keywords:

Neck trauma, Hoarseness, Accidental, Tracheostomy, Emergency

Abstract

Background: Neck trauma is a potentially life threatening clinical condition often presenting as a challenging surgical emergency to otolaryngologist due to high concentration of vital structures in the neck that are at risk. We aimed to study the clinical profile and management challenges of neck trauma in our environment.

Methods: This is a retrospective study in which case records of patients diagnosed with neck trauma over 6 years (January 2013 to December 2018) were reviewed. Data extracted included the demography, etiology, presenting symptoms, nature of trauma, surgical intervention and their complications.

Results: A total of 28 cases of neck trauma 15 (53.6%) males and 13 (46.4%) females with an M: F ratio of 1.2:1 was analyzed. Age range 8 years to 60 years with a mean age of 30.2 years. The highest incidence was 39.3% in patients within the age group 21-30years. Hoarseness and difficulty in breathing were the commonest presenting symptoms. The commonest etiology of neck trauma in this study is accidental 17 (60.7%) followed by homicidal 6 (21.4%) with zone II site of the neck being the commonest site of injury. Most cases presented to the hospital 2-8 hours of trauma except 5 patients that took more than 24 hours. Nineteen of the patient had emergency tracheostomy and Neck exploration. Most common complication was supraglottic stenosis 12 (42.8%). No mortality recorded in this study.

Conclusions: Neck trauma is a potentially life threatening surgical emergency requiring timely multi-disciplinary management thereby reducing complications and postoperative morbidity.

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Published

2019-09-26

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Original Research Articles