Assessment of intubation in croup and epiglottitis

Nasotracheal intubation for the management of airway obstruction in acute epiglottitis has become a well-received practice. However, the same technique has not received widespread support in laryngotracheobronchitis. The purpose of this study was to update the series of nasotracheal intubations in croup and epiglottitis from Columbus Children's Hospital with the specific intent to evaluate its effectiveness. All patients were evaluated for any immediate and delayed complications. Delayed complications were evaluated using parent interviews and measuring expiratory flow rates. This study of 45 children intubated for epiglottitis and 83 intubations for croup reconfirms the earlier report from this institution about its safety in both conditions. However, it has identified a subset of the croup patients who are definitely at risk to develop complications of the technique. In those children under 1 year of age, a disturbingly high incidence of subglottic stenosis was identified and this appeared to be related to the patient's age, tube size, serial intubations (dilatations), and duration of intubation. Suggested guidelines for airway management in the light of the new information are presented.