[Tracheotomy: review of five years at the University Hospital of Lome, Togo].

From a review of 37 cases, this retrospective study relates the activity of the Otorhinolaryngology service at the University Hospital Center of Lomé, as regards tracheostomy. It details: - a high rate of urgent tracheostomy (76%) for laryngeal carcinoma and papillomatosis; - a high rate of complication (29%) and death (5%). This is due to the urgency of tracheostomies, unsuitable cannulae, irregular nursing and prolonged cannula carrying. A better technique and rigorous supervision could reduce these complications.