Skip to main content

Table 5 Definition for minor and major laryngeal edema

From: Clinical review: Post-extubation laryngeal edema and extubation failure in critically ill adult patients

Minor laryngeal edema:

the presence of stridor (defined as an audible high-pitched inspiratory wheeze) and signs of respiratory distress. Signs of respiratory distress are a prolonged inspiratory phase and recruitment of accessory respiratory muscles as seen by subcostal, suprasternal or intercostal retraction.

Major laryngeal edema:

respiratory distress needing tracheal intubation secondary to upper airway obstruction confirmed by direct or video laryngoscopy.

  1. Edited from Darmon and colleagues [4] and Francois and colleagues [6].