Airway Intervention in Croup and Epiglottitis: The Changing Role of the Otolaryngologist

Recent evidence indicates that endotracheal intubation is supplanting tracheostomy for the short-term treatment of airway obstruction in epiglottitis and croup. Care should be provided by a triumvirate of physicians to include an otolaryngologist, a pediatrician, and an anesthesiologist. Intensive care facilities are also a prerequisite. Standard tracheostomy should be considered in cases requiring intubation longer than 72 hours.