[Acute epiglottitis in adults. Three cases and review of the literature (author's transl)].

Acute epiglottitis is much less frequent in adults than in children. Three personal cases are reported and clinical findings associated with epiglottitis in adults are reviewed; sudden onset of acute respiratory failure is outlined. Mechanical desobstruction of airway may be required promptly, tracheostomy being often preferred to tracheal intubation. Overall prognosis has been evaluated from 130 cases reported in the literature in the last twenty years: the mortality rate, reaching 24,6 per cent in 73 cases published between 1958 and 1973, has been reduced to 5 per cent in 60 most recent cases. This improvement reflects a better understanding of the disease and as more properly defined therapy.