An alternative method of oral to nasal endotracheal intubation in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery

Patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery frequently require nasal intubation. Although awake fiberoptic intubation is the procedure of choice, a fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) may not be available in all clinics. Furthermore, the procedure itself requires skill and experience, and cannot be used when the view is obstructed by bleeding or secretions. Herein we describe 3 patients in whom oral to nasal endotracheal tube exchange was accomplished with the aid of a nasogastric tube after placement of an LMA CTrachTM, as no FOB was available.