Submental intubation: a new approach in panfacial trauma.

Abstract

The submental route for endotracheal intubation is an alternative to nasal intubation or tracheo- stomy in the surgical management of patients with complex craniomaxillofacial injuries. The critical indication for submental intubation is the requirement for intra-operative maxillomandibular fixation in the presence of injuries that preclude nasal intubation and in a situation where a tracheostomy is not otherwise required. Maxillomandibular fixation is essential to re-establish dental occlusion for a normal functional result in dentate patients with fractures involving alveolar segments of the jaws. However, maxillomandibular fixation precludes orotracheal intubation. Nasotracheal intubation is often used but is contra-indicated in the presence of skull base fractures and will interfere with the access to certain fracture types. A tracheostomy has a high potential complication rate and in many patients, an alternative to the oral airway is not required beyond the peri-operative period. Submental intuba- tion is a simple and useful technique with low morbidity in selected cases of craniomaxillofacial trauma.

• Authors: Monika Gandhi, B K Ved
• Journal: Journal of the Indian Medical Association (J Indian Med Assoc) Vol. 112 Issue 1 Pg. 54-5 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 0019-5847 [Print] India
• PMID: 25935954 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Chin
• Facial Injuries (pathology, surgery)
• Humans
• Intubation, Intratracheal (methods)
• Male