Submental intubation an alternative to tracheostomy in patients with panfacial fractures

Introduction In panfacial injuries, a choice has to be made among different ways of intubation, especially when short-term airway management is desirable only for intraoperative management of a case in the presence of difficult oral and nasal airway access and frequent intraoperative dental occlusion. We report our experience with submental intubation as an alternative to tracheostomy in the airway management of patients with complex panfacial fractures. The aim of this article was to evaluate the outcome of airway management in patients with complex maxillofacial fractures by submental intubation, time required for intubation, accidental extubation and postoperative complications and to discuss indications, contraindications, advantages and disadvantages of submental intubation. Materials and Methods Three patients of panfacial fractures who underwent submental intubation from May 2013 to December 2013 were reviewed, and no statistical analysis was used. Results At the end of the procedure, all three patients were extubated without any complications. Conclusion Submental endotracheal intubation is a simple technique with very low morbidity and can be used as an alternative to tracheostomy in cases of complex maxillofacial trauma.