Acute epiglottitis treated by intubation.
Acute epiglottitis is a severe disease which is especially common in children and may be fatal if not treated. The main problem in these patients is to secure a free airway. During the last decade there has been much debate as to whether one should perform a tracheotomy or secure the airway by means of long-term intubation. During the last 12 years we have treated 86 patients with acute epiglottitis by long-term intubation to secure the airway. Three of these patients have been tracheotomized. All patients have been investigated by direct laryngotracheoscopy about 3 months after recovery. During the last 8 years we have had no complications whatsoever and we consider long-term intubation to be a safe and convenient way of securing the airway in acute epiglottitis.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004826:Epiglottitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000628:therapy*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects