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The Prevalence and Management of Aerodigestive Foreign Bodies at Rwanda Military Hospital: A Six-years Retrospective
John Bukuru1,2, Agape Ngirinshuti3, Pascale Ange Kamanda3
1Department of ENT, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.
Insights
Aerodigestive foreign bodies, mainly coins, are common in Rwanda, particularly affecting young children and males. This underscores the need for preventative measures and education to reduce occurrences and improve care.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Aerodigestive foreign bodies pose a significant health risk, especially to children.
- Limited comprehensive data exists on aerodigestive foreign bodies in Rwanda.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding the epidemiology and management of these cases in Rwanda.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of aerodigestive foreign bodies at Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH).
- To analyze demographic factors associated with aerodigestive foreign bodies.
- To describe clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, and management strategies for aerodigestive foreign bodies in Rwanda.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of patient records from RMH's ENT department (January 2017 - December 2022).
- Data extraction from operating room archives and OpenClinic system.
- Descriptive statistical analysis using SPSS 23.
Main Results:
- 290 cases (0.74%) of aerodigestive foreign bodies identified out of 39,240 ENT consultations.
- Highest incidence in children aged 1-3 years (49.66%); male predominance (1.34:1 ratio).
- Coins were the most common foreign body (35.17%); common symptoms included asymptomatic presentation (46.21%), drooling (17.93%), and dysphagia (9.66%).
Conclusions:
- Aerodigestive foreign bodies, especially coins, are prevalent in Rwanda, disproportionately affecting young children and males.
- Findings emphasize the necessity for targeted prevention strategies and public health education.
- Improved diagnostic and management protocols are crucial for addressing this public health issue.
Background:
Aerodigestive foreign bodies are common issue especially in children, who often place objects in their mouths, leading to inhalation or ingestion. Despite global data on this issue, no comprehensive study has been conducted in Rwanda. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, demographic factors, clinical presentations, diagnostic and management techniques of aerodigestive foreign bodies at Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH).
Methods:
This retrospective study reviewed patient records from ENT department of RMH over the period of six years, from January 2017 to December 2022. Data on aerodigestive foreign bodies were extracted from operating room archives and OpenClinic hospital online system, then compiled in Excel spreadsheet, and descriptively analyzed using and SPSS 23.
Results:
Among 39,240 patients who consulted the ENT department over the six years, 290 (0.74%) cases of aerodigestive foreign bodies were identified, with male-to-female ratio of 1.34:1. The highest incidence was in children aged 1-3 years (49.66%). Inorganic foreign bodies, especially coins (35.17%), were more common than organic ones. Clinical presentations varied, with 46.21% of cases being asymptomatic, and others showing drooling (17.93%) and dysphagia (9.66%). Chest X-rays were the most frequently used diagnostic tool (49.66%). Esophagoscopy was the primary management method for esophageal cases (45.52%), with bronchoscopy (13.10%) and forceps (34.14%) used for bronchial and nasal cases, respectively.
Conclusion:
Aerodigestive foreign bodies, particularly coins, are prevalent in Rwanda, especially among young children and males. This highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies and educational programs to reduce incidence and improve management.
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