Age: 16.0
Sex: M
Vaccine: HIBV
Symptoms: Dysphagia, Dyspnoea, Endotracheal intubation, Epiglottic oedema, Laryngoscopy abnormal
Clinical narrative: It was reported in a Letter to the Editor a case concerning a HIB-vaccinated (manufacturer unknown) 16-year-old male patient who developed sudden onset fever, sore throat, dysphagia, and dyspnea. He was brought to the operating room (OR) for controlled intubation. A deep plane of anesthesia was obtained via inhalational anesthesia (end tidal sevoflurane 4 % in 100 % O2) with the patient breathing spontaneously in a sitting position. Direct laryngoscopy revealed grade IV view secondary to an edematous epiglottitis. The airway was secured with a 6.5-mm endotracheal tube (ETT), by use of a Parsons laryngoscope. After treatment with intravenous antibiotics for 24 h, he was extubated and discharged. The incidence of acute epiglottitis in children had decreased from 4.9 to 0.02 cases/100,000/year as a result of vaccination with HIB (manufacturer unspecified). Stridor, tachypnea, and fever were commonly associated with epiglottitis in children who will need airway intervention. Older children, such as ours, may have more subtle signs of respiratory difficulties, in example: inability to lay flat, voice changes, and dysphagia. The classical signs of tripod position (drooling, stridor, dyspnea, tachypnea) might not be seen in older children, adults, or early in the disease process. Confirmation of epiglottitis occurs after prompt transport to the OR, followed by mask induction of general anesthesia, venous access, and intubation. Securing the airway in the emergency department was not recommended. The OR should be prepared with several laryngoscope blades and endotracheal tubes of different sizes with stylets, keeping in mind that there is likely to be a need to size down at least 0.5-1 mm. If available, a video-assisted laryngoscope can be useful for visualization. Mask induction using sevoflurane with the patient in the upright sitting position was the preferred technique because this facilitates respiration. Use of intravenous ketamine had been shown to be successful, especially for patients who will not cooperate with a mask technique. Use of muscle relaxants before securing the airway was not advised because relaxation of the pharyngeal muscles may cause complete obstruction. Once sufficient depth of anesthesia was achieved, intravenous access was obtained, and the child was slowly lowered into supine position. Direct laryngoscopy was then performed while the child was spontaneously breathing. If the anatomy could not be identified because of excessive swelling, the anesthesiologist should look for air bubbles during exhalation or on manual chest compression, which can help ascertain the glottic opening. Once general manifestations of the acute infection have subsided and there has been a sufficient decrease in inflammation on laryngoscopic examination with a leak around the endotracheal tube with the cuff deflated, extubation could be performed in a controlled setting. In summary, older children present with symptoms that are often analogous to those of adult patients diagnosed with epiglottitis. They were less likely to have stridor, and more often have odynophagia, dysphagia, and voice change, for example hot potato voice. Also, patients who had been vaccinated may have more subtle presentations. Continued vigilance for epiglottitis requires building of protocols for young trainees and having simulation drills to maintain awareness, preparedness, and management skills. Additional information has been requested.