Nasotracheal Intubation Instead Of Tracheotomy In Acute Epiglottitis In Children

Abstract

30 children with typical, severe, acute epiglottitis were treated by intubation of 8–192 hours' duration, mean 42 hours, instead of by tracheotomy. The method, results, and combinations of intubation are described. The results were good, complications few and negligible, and no damage to the larynx occurred. Since all children have to be intubated anyway, in order to be tracheotomized, and since the critical period of, airway obstruction lasts a maximum of 48 hours, the tube may just as well be left and tracheotomy avoided.