Abstract
Despite the rare occurrence of tetanus in the field of otorhinolaryngology, otorhinolaryngologists successfully treated one patient with tetanus. There are few opportunities for otorhinolaryngologists to encounter the 1 st or 2 nd stage of tetanus. A successful outcome to save a patient's life is difficult, unless treatment has been provided in the early stage. The period between the first appearance of symptoms, such as difficulty in opening the mouth, or convulsion, and treatment is critical. If this period is less than 48 hours, an emergency tracheostomy must be performed. In this case, otorhinolaryngologists could save a patient's life because of immediate treatment using tetanus human immunoglobulin, tetanus toxoid, penicillin G injection and the early provision of a respirator pulmotor after tracheostomy. The diagnosis was made while observing the clinical symptoms and treatment was provided before the results of a bacteriological examination could determine that the cause was tetanus.
