Predictors of procedural intervention in otolaryngology consultations: a retrospective multivariable analysis of 1,366 cases

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of cases consulted with the ear, nose, and throat department in a tertiary hospital, the consultation indications, and independent factors associated with the need for procedural intervention. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included patients undergoing ear, nose, and throat consultation. Demographics, consultation characteristics, indications, imaging, procedures, and hospitalization were recorded. Procedural intervention rates and independent factors associated with intervention requirements were also examined. RESULTS: Consultations for 1,366 patients were analyzed. The great majority of consultations (76.5%) originated from the emergency department, and procedural interventions were performed in approximately half the cases (48.8%). The most common reasons for consultation were suspected foreign bodies (n=248, 18.2%), nasal fracture (n=231, 16.9%), and epistaxis (n=132, 9.7%). The highest procedural intervention requirements were in the soft tissue trauma group (n=118; 90.7%) and in the epistaxis (87.9%) and nasal fracture (78.3%) cases. Consultation indication was the strongest independent predictor. Epistaxis, trauma-related consultations, and suspected foreign bodies were significantly associated with the need for procedural intervention. CONCLUSION: Consultation indication was the main determinant of intervention. Epistaxis, trauma-related conditions, and suspected foreign bodies were significantly independently associated with intervention requirements. Early identification of these high-risk indications may assist in the optimization of ear, nose, and throat emergency resource planning and consultation triage. © 2026, Associacao Medica Brasileira. All rights reserved.