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.