Ludwigs Angina: Management Through Awake Intubation

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Title Ludwigs Angina: Management Through Awake Intubation
Creator Colby Jacobson
Subject Ludwig's angina; emergency airway; fiberoptic intubation; spontaneous ventilation intubation; nasal intubation; MSNA
Description The occurrence of Ludwigs Angina (LA) in some populations and geographical areas is rare, but in others its occurrence is a regular challenge. It is possible that many providers may never manage a patient suffering from this phenomenon, but its management is applicable to most types of emergency airway management. The event of LA is an acute inflammatory response to pathogens introduced to the airway tissues. This article will recount the events that took place in one case involving an ambulatory patient that presented in the emergency center with respiratory distress. The decline of the patients respiratory status was due to airway tissue inflammation following dental care. The patient was immediately transferred to an operating room where an awake intubation was accomplished and an incision and drainage of the affected tissue was completed following the intubation. The article includes the basics of airway management with LA or other diseases that require spontaneous ventilation. This condition is one of many true airway emergencies and their management must be handled in a step wise approach. It is imperative that spontaneous ventilation be maintained and that the anesthesia provider always be able to retreat to a safe area where the patient is able to maintain their own airway.
Publisher Westminster College
Date 2013-12
Type Text; Image
Language eng
Rights Management Digital copyright 2013, Westminster College. All rights Reserved.
ARK ark:/87278/s6ns4320
Setname wc_ir
ID 1094046
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6ns4320