Pediatrics: Epiglottitis

In this chapter the essential aspects of anesthesia for epiglottitis are reviewed. Subtopics include defining the classic chest X-ray signs in patients with this disease, such as the thumb print sign, airway management, and steps to take to avoid laryngospasm in these patients. The case presented is a pediatric patient with emergent respiratory distress. The chapter is divided into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative sections with important subtopics related to the main topic in each section. Issues addressed for preoperative evaluation include diagnosis in this patient, volume status, and selection of anesthetic technique. Intraoperative topics focus on airway management. Postoperative management addresses primarily extubation.