Analiza przypadków zgłaszanych na ostry dyżur laryngologiczny w Klinice Otolaryngologii Akademii Medycznej w Warszawie

Summary Objective The aim of our work was to carry out an qualitative analysis of the all cases delt with in otorhinolaryngological emergency unit throughout one year. The information gathered and observations made can result in the valid grounds for streamlining of otorhinolaryngological emergency services in the future. Research design and methods We examined the medical documentation of 7930 subjects (3.972 females and 3.958 males, of the average age 42 years), who appeared in the otorhinolaryngological emergency unit of SP CSK AM in Warsaw from the 1th of January to the 31th of December 2006. Results The actual emergency cases accounted for 40% of all cases. The most common were: injuries (12.80%), epistaxises (13.11%), foreign bodies (5.11%). The rest of the cases did not need the summary intervention on emergency admission. These were mostly: ear inflamations (21.32%), upper respiratory tract infecions (10.77%), cerumen in the external ear (8.98%). In 2006, 5,51% of all cases were admitted to the otorhinolaryngological ward and up to 5.22% sent to other specialists. Conclusions The majority of the cases delt with in the otorhinolaryngological emergency unit did not need the immediate intervention. A part of these was not within the competence of the otorhinolaryngologist. The high proportion of such patients can prolong the time of anticipation for highly specialised aid in the states of real threat to human's life and health and cause other damages that can be harmful to the pacient himself.