Surgical emergencies in pediatric otolaryngology.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain baseline data on the most common surgical emergencies in pediatric otolaryngology in Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
This report is a retrospective study of all children presenting to the pediatric otolaryngology emergency service at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Between January 2001 to January 2006 data were carefully collected and then analyzed for patients requiring emergent surgical intervention by the pediatric otolaryngology service.


RESULTS
A total of 15,850 children presented to our pediatric otolaryngology emergency service. Surgical intervention was indicated in 183 children (1.2%). The larynx/head & neck was the most common site involved. Foreign body related emergencies were the most common presentation requiring surgical interventions (42%). The aero-digestive tract was the most common site for foreign body retrieval (54%).


CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric patients have always constituted a significant portion of the general otolaryngology service. Most pediatric otolaryngology emergencies are relatively benign. Aero-digestive tract foreign bodies are the most common indication for surgical intervention in ped iatric otolaryngology.
Al-Mazrou
Khalid A
KA
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh 11622, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. kalmazrou@gmail.com
Makki
Fawaz M
FM
Allam
Osama S
OS
Al-Fayez
Abdulrhman I
AI
D000233:Adenoidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014068:Tonsillectomy / Q000009:adverse effects