Nasotracheal intubation in the Treatment of Acute Epiglottitis

Abstract

Acute epiglottitis is characterized by fever, rapidly progressing dyspnea and dysphagia. In case of difficulty in confirming the diagnosis of this well-defined entity, a "direct" bedside evaluation of the larynx is safe and definitive. In the rare case where respiratory difficulty is present, conservative medical management is suggested, but only by an expert team. However, when respiratory difficulty is present or develops in a patient with confirmed epiglottitis, a short-term nasotracheal intubation with accompanying antibiotics is a suitable therapeutic regimen.