Audit of Adenotonsillar surgeries in a Tertiary Facility in Uyo, South-south Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adenoid and tonsils are lymphoid tissues that occupy the nasopharynx and tonsillar fossae and serve as the initial site of immunological contact for inhaled and ingested antigens. Adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy is a lifesaving surgical procedure and remains a leading reason of surgical admission in general otorhinolaryngological practice both in developed and developing countries.
The study aims to audit adenotonsillar surgeries in the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and compare findings with similar studies.

Method: This is a retrospective study of patients who had adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or adenotonsillectomy over 5 years from January 2015 to December 2019 at the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, south-south Nigeria.

Results: A total of 526 patients were recruited, and this accounted for 38.7% of the total ENT surgeries performed within the study period. Ages ranged from 6 months to 72 years, with a mean age of 11.89+1.03. The majority of the patients were aged between 1-5 years and the commonest presenting symptom was snoring and mouth breathing (79.5%). Sleep-disordered breathing (55.7%) was the main indication for the surgeries. Adenotonsillectomy (61.0%) was the commonest surgery performed. About 1.0% of the patients had recurrent adenoids.

Conclusion: The surgeries were of immense necessity to the patients as all presenting complaints and pre-operative diagnoses became completely resolved.