Improved patient education facilitates adherence to preoperative fasting guidelines.

Preoperative fasting is recognised as an important factor in perioperative patient care. Implementation of guidelines on preoperative fasting remains sub-optimal. We audited perioperative fasting in a district general hospital, implemented changes to the preoperative information leaflet and improved fasting practices.

A novel case of adult, acute epiglottitis successfully treated with noninvasive ventilation.

Acute adult epiglottitis is a rare and potentially fatal upper airway condition, requiring prompt recognition, resuscitation, stabilization, and transfer to definitive care. Treatment centers on skilled airway management and early antimicrobial therapy. We describe a patient with acute adult epiglottitis in whom airway management using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was successful allowing avoidance of tracheal intubation.