Indications and outcomes of tracheostomy: An experience in a resource-limited environment

Background: Tracheostomy remains one of the most important procedures for airway emergency management, especially in a developing country where patients will not present until they are in acute airway obstruction. This study reviews all the tracheostomies performed in a suburban tertiary health institution in a developing country. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients who had tracheostomy over a 10-year period. Results: There were 52 tracheostomies performed on 36 males and 16 females with a male: Female ratio 2.3:1. Upper airway obstruction was the major indication (63.5%), with laryngeal tumor as the major cause (32.7%). Tracheostomy was performed as emergency in 76.9% and as elective in 23.1%. Majority (73.1%) of the emergency tracheostomies was done under general anesthesia and over 84% were temporary tracheostomies. There were 21.2% complications with tracheostomy dependence as the leading cause in 9.6%, followed by peri-stoma granulation in 5.8%. Conclusion: Upper airway obstruction remains the major indication for tracheostomy, with laryngeal tumor as the major cause. There is a need for increased awareness of the people through social campaigns and health education on the merits of early detection and improvement in health-seeking behaviors of the people.