Abstract
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.
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