Acute epiglottitis: a different approach to management

Between January 1979 and October 1986, 349 patients with epiglottitis were admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Forty-five (13%) patients were not intubated, 291 (83%) were managed by nasotracheal intubation and spontaneous respiration without sedation, three (1%) received continuous positive airway pressure, and ten (3%) were ventilated. The 294 patients who were not ventilated were intubated for a mean of 18 +/- 9.5 (SD) h; 90% were extubated within 24 h. Criteria for extubation included resolution of fever (less than 37.5 degrees C), passage of time (12 to 16 h), and improvement in the general appearance of the child. Laryngoscopy was not performed before extubation. Providing there is always a doctor present who can reintubate if accidental extubation occurs, routine use of sedation, paralysis and mechanical ventilation, and pre-extubation laryngoscopy are not required for the management of children with uncomplicated epiglottitis, and their use may prolong the period of intubation.