Can’t intubate can’t ventilate in severe Angioedema/Ludwig’s Angina at a Rural Tertiary Hospital: Case report

Abstract

Severe upper airway obstruction as a result of angioedema is not uncommon in clinical practice. With no option of ventilation and/or intubation, a surgical airway must be established quickly. We present a case of emergency tracheotomy as a result of a life-threatening airway obstruction caused by angioedema after oral herbal medication. We established patent airway with a 5.5mm ID ETT followed by a definitive tracheotomy. In conclusion, emergency 'slash' tracheotomy procedure is possible in resource poor setup if you cannot ventilate and/or intubate the patient.