Steroids and bag and mask ventilation in the treatment of acute epiglottitis.

A non-instrumentation treatment protocol for acute epiglottitis that features the use of dexamethasone to reduce edema and positive pressure ventilation by bag and mark to support ventilation, if needed, has been used in 40 cases, 1974--1977, with no mortality. The presence of the airway specialist (pediatric surgeon) in the Intensive Care Unit with the patient further assured the airway. The importance of having a protocol in place that is workable for the specific local circumstances of each institution is emphasized.