The Prevalence and Management of Aerodigestive Foreign Bodies at Rwanda Military Hospital: A Six-years Retrospective Study.

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.