The treatment of acute polyradiculoneuritis with respiratory paralysis

This paper reports 504 cases admitted with acute polyradiculoneuritis (AP) to Beijing Children's Hospital from 1975 through 1984. 343 of the 504 cases (68.1%) with AP had respiratory paralysis and in 198/504 (39.3%), tracheotomy was performed. In this study, none of the patients received steroids. We attempted to assess the grades of respiratory paralysis and established the criteria for tracheotomy. We also must perform the following procedures: 1) Artificial ventilation must be used correctly, 2) The secretion should be aspirated regularly in order to maintain a clear airway, 3) Sterilization must be strictly conducted to prevent cross infection. As a result, of 504 cases with AP 9 died, the mortality rate being 1.79%. The study suggests tracheotomy should be performed early and it is one of the most important procedures in the treatment of AP with respiratory paralysis.