Results
649 ENT emergencies presented in the pre COVID-19 period: Ages ranged from 17 to 97 years (mean age 46 years). Male to Female ratio was 1.1:1 (343:306) (Fig 1).
254 ENT emergencies presented during 1st lockdown: Ages ranged from 16 to 92 year (mean age 52 years). Male to Female ratio was 1.4:1 (148:106) (Fig 2).
In the pre COVID-19 period there were 401 infection related cases, 90 epistaxis, and 158 non-infectious/traumatic cases. In the 1st Lockdown group, there were 121 infection related cases, 56 epistaxis and 77 non-infectious/ traumatic cases. Comparison of infectious, epistaxis and non-infectious group revealed reductions of 70% (p value 0.005), 38% (p value 0.001) and 51% (p value 0.005) respectively.
In the infectious category – Tonsil related infections fell from 202 to 54, a reduction of 73% (statistically significant p value 0.003). Neck infections (superficial and deep neck abscess) reduced from 52 to 20, a 62% change. Ear related cases (infections and swelling) reduced from 85 to 30, a reduction of 65%. Nose and sinus infections (sinusitis, periorbital cellulitis) changed from 10 to 11 leading to 10% increase. Facial cellulitis/swelling cases (including salivary gland) reduced from 32 to 5, a reduction of 84.3%. Laryngeal infections reduced from 20 to 1, a reduction of 95% (statistically significant p value 0.016)
Comparing the non-infectious category - trauma cases fell from 36 to 8, a reduction of 78%. Airway related cases reduced from 29 to 9 - a reduction of 69%. Food bolus, foreign bodies reduced from 42 to 23 - 45%. Swallowing related (NG, speech valve, dysphagia, pain, esophageal perf.) changed from 43 to 30 – a 30.23% change (statistically significant p value 0.010). Bleeding patients (trachy/oral bleed) reduced from 8 to 7 – a 12.5% change (Table 1 and 2).
Comparing epistaxis cases, we noticed 38% reduction during 1st lockdown (From 90 to 56)