European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Ludwig’s angina is a fatal infection of oral cavity involving the submental region and neck which often leads to stridor and respiratory distress.
Case history: 19-year lady with Ludwig’s angina following dental sepsis presented for surgical drainage. After clinical and radiological pre operative evaluation she was taken up for surgery under General anaesthesia. Bougie assisted Intubation with 6.5 ETT using C MAC was done and septic focus was drained. 
Discussion: Any one of the following modalities namely elective tracheostomy, awake nasal intubation orvideo assisted fibre-optic intubation can be considered in LA.The choice of airway management must be customised depending on the patient characteristics, disease extent and expertise of the anaesthetic team
Conclusion: Fibreoptic intubation is a novel and less invasive method of securing airway in patients with deep neck infection and should now be a suitable substitute for the gold standard tracheostomy in managing LA.