Epidemiological profile of patients with strange bodies in the Otorhinolaryngology Service of the Central Hospital of Maputo observed from 1983 to 2009

Abstract

Introduction: In developing countries, the problem of foreign bodies (FB) in ENT Services is poorly studied and the literature related to the subject is rare. This study was performed to characterize the epidemiological profile in patients treated with FB in ENT Department/Maputo Central Hospital (MCH) (1983-2009 period). Aim: This study was performed to characterize the epidemiological profile in patients treated with foreign bodies in ENT Department of Maputo Central Hospital (MCH) in the 1983-2009 period. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was performed using the retrospective data from patients with FB treated at MCH. Demographic data were collected on FB, their anatomical location, any treatment, clinical complications among others. The data were processed using the SPSS-v15. Descriptive results were presented in tables and graphs. Results: We included a total of 4826 patients. The most affected population groups were males and children under 14 years. The most frequent FB were metals. The most common anatomical locations of FB was the external ear canal. Conclusions: This study presents a unique collection covering a period of 26 years, constituting, therefore, an important source of information on the subject. This study demonstrates the magnitude of the problem in the pediatric age and presents the cha- racteristics of the FB involved and their anatomical locations. The evidence of this study are important to inform clinical prevention and training strategies to deal with this issue at the level of primary health care. This study is important to inform about strategies to prevent it, but also useful in the formation of clinics to better deal with this type of patients at the level of primary health care.