Transmylohyoid orotracheal intubation: case series and review.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of airway management in patients with complex maxillofacial fracture by submental intubation, time required for intubation, accidental extubation, and postoperative complications.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

The medical records of the 10 patients who underwent submental intubation from December 2008 to June 2011 were reviewed.

MAIN RESULTS

At the end of the procedure, all 10 patients were extubated without any complications. Postoperatively, only one patient presented with superficial infection of the submental wound.

CONCLUSIONS

Submental endotracheal intubation is a simple technique with very low morbidity, and may be used as an alternative to tracheostomy in selected cases of maxillofacial trauma.