Panel discussion on management of inflammatory airway obstruction in children.

ON behalf of the Committee on Drugs, I would like to beginthe panel discussion on the management of upper airway obstruction in children. We are fortunate to have a panel composed of knowledgeable and interesting physicians who have considerable clinical experience with this common and important problem. There are, currently, important differences of opinion regarding the proper roles of the various treatment modalities, differences of opinion between the several groups of physicians who care for these children in regard to their respective roles, and a general feeling of uncertainty in the mind of the practicing physician regarding what is, indeed, the proper therapy.