Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: The Korle-Bu experience

Background: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a benign disease of the aero digestive tract which is caused by the human papilloma virus type 6 and 11 and mainly affects children. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the pattern of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis at the E.N.T Unit Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. Method: This is a retrospective study of theatre records of patients managed for respiratory papillomata from January1995 to December 2004 at the E.N.T Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra which is a tertiary facility. These records were studied and we obtained information on gender, age, number of surgeries and the presence of tracheotomy. Results: Sixty-nine patients were identified over the period. Thirty-three males and 36 females with a M: F ratio 1:1.1, and ages ranging from 2 to 54 years. The mean age was 12.3years and a median age of 8.5years.Children less than 10 years accounted for 69% and 46.4% had repeated surgery with overall tracheotomy rate of 14.5%. Conclusions: Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis is primarily a paediatric disease. Locally, its distribution is comparable to others in the sub region and worldwide and surgery is the mainstay of treatment.