INTRODUCTION Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation are lifesaving interventions. However, as with acute interventions, can be associated with serious complications. One such complication is laryngeal edema (LE) that occurs in 4-55% of patients. LE is thought to be caused by marked polymorphonuclear infiltration to the traumatized upper airway postintubation. The incidence of LE increases as the duration of intubation accrues, but it can occur as early as the first 24 hours of intubation. LE can result in airway narrowing and increased airflow velocity. It is postulated that narrowing of the lumen by 50% or more may result in postextubation stridor and respiratory distress. As a result, 3.5% (range 0-10.5%) of patients with LE will fail an extubation attempt and require reintubation. For various reasons, reintubation has a significant morbidity and mortality.