loading page

Optimal airway management in the treatment of descending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to deep neck infection: Our experiences and review of literature
  • +2
  • Yoonho Kim,
  • Sungjun Han,
  • Deog Gon Cho,
  • Won-Sang Jung,
  • Jung-Hae Cho
Yoonho Kim
Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine
Author Profile
Sungjun Han
Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine
Author Profile
Deog Gon Cho
Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine
Author Profile
Won-Sang Jung
Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine
Author Profile
Jung-Hae Cho
Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile

Abstract

Objective: To review our experiences of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) secondary to deep neck infection (DNI) and determine appropriate airway management for decreasing mortality and morbidity of patients with DNM. Study Design: A retrospective study Subjects and Methods: Medical records of 20 patients (8 women and 12 men) who had been managed for DNM secondary to DNI between March 2006 and December 2019 were analyzed. Diagnosis and extent of infection were confirmed by computed tomography of the neck and chest. The upper airway was closely monitored with a fiberoptic laryngoscope. Complications were evaluated according to various types of airway management in our serial cases. Results: Five (25 %) out of 20 patients died as a result of septic shock and multi-organ failure. None of these patients died from accidental airway obstruction or airway management mishaps. Keeping short-term orotracheal intubation was safe and adequate after the initial surgery. Early tracheotomy was performed for four patients of all but it was significantly associated with mortality (p=0.032). Three patients who underwent late tracheotomy had no mortality. Patients with tracheotomy had longer duration of overall hospital stay than those without tracheotomy. Conclusions. Well-controlled airway management might decrease mortality, hospitalization, and airway complications in patients with DNM secondary to DNI. Keeping orotracheal intubation rather than upfront tracheotomy should be first considered when managing airway along with examination of the upper airway with a fiberoptic laryngoscope.