Tracheostomy in Subglottic Laryngitis (Pseudocroup) and Acute Epiglottitis

Of a total of 525 patients with subglottic laryngitis (pseudocroup), 10 (2%) were treated by tracheostomy. In cases of acute epiglottitis, the proportion of tracheostomies was far higher, 11 out of 23 cases, or 48%. On admission the majority of the patients were in an extremely low condition and suffocation threatened. Thus 11 were subjected to tracheostomy immediately. There was no postoperative mortality. Difficulties in decannulation occurred in the youngest patient, an infant, aged 31/2 months. In severe cases of pseudocroup and epiglottitis, tracheostomy is still of importance as it opens up the airways. The use of prolonged nasotracheal intubation and tracheostomy is compared on the basis of this study.