Abstract: ［ABSTRACT］Objective: To study the experience and lessons of the emergency management of severe laryngeal obstruction caused by acute epiglottitis. Methods: The diagnosis, first aid, development of pathogenic condition and consequences of treatment of 7 patients with acute epiglottitis were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Four patients suffering from sudden dyspnea were subjected to emergency tracheotomy: of them, one patient died, one suffering from coma secondary to cerebral hernia and edema resumed sensation but regained hemiparalysis, and 2 were fully healed. The other three suffering from dyspnea of 2 to 3 degrees recovered after an intensive monitoring and a large dosage of steroid. Conclusion: After a prompt diagnosis, patients with acute epiglottitis should be subjected to a large dosage of steroid and proper measurement.

Key words: Epiglottitis, acute, Laryngeal obstruction, Tracheotomy, Steroid