Head and Neck Complications from Traditional Surgeons' Procedures: A Tertiary Health Hospital Experience in a Developing Country

Abstract

Background

Unsupervised and unscientific practices of traditional surgeons is very common in most African countries; such practices can be life-threatening complication(s)

Aim: to describe the indications, complications, and outcome following traditional surgeon's procedures

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study of patients admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, following traditional surgeon's procedures from October 2005 to September 2016.

Results

A total of 29 patients were seen, all of which were of low socioeconomic status (16 males and 13 females). The majority of the patients 20 (69%) were below the age of 10 years (75% of these were below the age of 3 weeks).  The age ranged from 1 day to 60 years with the mean age of 10.7 ± 16.8 years. Throat conditions 18(62.1%) and neck swellings 6(20.7%) were the main indications for traditional surgeons' procedures. Traditional uvulectomy 18 (62.1%); especially for neonates 16(88.9%) and incision and drainage of any neck swellings 6(20.7%): 4 of these were malignant neck masses, were the main procedures carried out by the traditional surgeons. Twenty-five patients (86.2%) had various complications: anaemia from haemorrhage 13 (52%), septicemia 4(16%), cervical necrotizing fasciitis 3(12%) and acute renal failure 1(4%) from hemorrhagic shock were some of the complications noted. Six (24%) of these patients died from the complications especially from the septicemia 3(12%).

Conclusion

Traditional surgeons' indications for treatment in misdiagnosed head and neck conditions and the procedures carried can lead to life-threatening complications(s) with an unfavourable outcome.