ADRENALINE ADMINISTERED VIA A NEBULIZER IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH UPPER AIRWAY-OBSTRUCTION

Racemic adrenaline administered via a nebulizer has been used successf ully in children with upper airway obstruction resulting from croup an d postintubation oedema. We report four adult cases of upper airway ob struction of differing aetiologies successfully managed with the admin istration of adrenaline via a nebulizer (1 mg in 5 ml of normal saline and repeated as necessary). This appears to be safe and effective in selected cases of upper airway obstruction with immediate benefits and few cardiovascular sequelae.