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Table 1 Indications for Tracheostomy

From: Ten-year experiences with Tracheostomy at a University teaching hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: A retrospective review of 214 cases

Indications

Pathological causes

Frequency

Percentages

Upper airway obstruction

 

178

83.2

 

Traumatic

98

55.1

 

   - Severe head injuries

69

70.4

 

   - Foreign body aspiration

13

13.3

 

   - Severe maxillofacial injuries

9

9.2

 

   - Cut throat

7

7.1

 

Neoplastic

70

39.3

 

   - Laryngeal tumors

60

85.7

 

   - Thyroid cancer

4

5.7

 

   - Other neck tumors

6

8.6

 

Infections

18

10.1

 

   - Tetanus

16

88.9

 

   - Retropharyngeal abscess

2

11.1

 

Congenital lesions

2

1.1

 

   - Laryngeal web

1

50.0

 

   - Laryngeal stenosis

1

50.0

Mechanical ventilator support/

Tracheobronchial toileting

 

26

9.3

 

Prolonged ventilation

24

92.3

 

Diaphragmatic Injury

2

7.7

Adjunct to head and neck surgeries

 

4

1.9

 

Anticipated difficult intubation

4

100.0

Others

 

6

1.9

 

Post-thyroidectomy tracheomalacia

3

50.0

 

? Gullein Barre syndrome

1

16.7

 

Failed endotracheal intubation

1

16.7

 

Cause not established

1

16.7