A prospective study of the safety of tracheal extubation using endotracheal ventilation catheter in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of endotracheal ventilation catheter for extubation of patients who underwent maxillofacial surgery.

METHODS

Sixty patients who underwent maxillofacial surgery were enrolled in this study from September 2004 to October 2006 in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. They were randomized to 2, 30-person groups. In the intervention group, endotracheal ventilation catheter was inserted before extubation. Patients of the control group were extubated routinely.

RESULTS

Upper airway obstruction (stridor) was seen in 3 patients of each group, which improved with supplemental oxygen in the intervention group. The rate of cyanosis, release of intramaxillary fixation, and reintubation in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group (p=0.021).

CONCLUSION

Endotracheal ventilation catheter is a safe and easy to use device for extubation, and patients can tolerate it well. Therefore, we recommend the use of this type of exchange catheter for the extubation of patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery.