The spectrum of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck emergencies: Our experience

Background: Emergencies in otorhinolaryngology are common in health-care facilities. Early detection and treatment of a disease can result in the reduction of morbidity and mortality in patients. Aim: This study was carried out in the southwest region of Nigeria over 10 years to depict the epidemiology, gender, and age-wise distribution of otorhinolaryngology emergencies. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered and information was collected on the medical histories of the patients examined. The age and gender of patients, their clinical diagnosis at the time of admission, and the progress of the patient's health after emergency treatment were listed. Results: The total number of patients who visited the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergency department was 12,931 from January 2011 to December 2021. On average, three emergency patients/day and 1293 emergency patients per year visited ENT emergency department. The ages of patients ranged between 1 month and 70 years. The number of male patients was 8657 (66.94%), and the number of female patients was 4274 (33.05%). The ratio of males to females was 2:1. The most common emergency cases were of nose bleed (25.57%). Then, we had cases of earache and ear discharge on our list. Conclusion: The otorhinolaryngology emergency department plays a vital part in managing life-threatening situations such as acute nose bleed, bleeding after removal of tonsils, upper airway, neck boils, severe middle ear infection, and acute fungal sinus infection. These conditions require urgent and effective treatment from an ENT Specialist. The ENT emergency department plays a vital part in managing life-threatening situations which require urgent and effective treatment from otorhinolaryngology specialists. There is a dire need to create standards for prioritising and reducing the number of nonurgent/fake emergency cases appearing in ENT emergencies so that the proper treatment could be given to the deserving emergency cases.