Submental endotracheal intubation: an alternative to short-term tracheostomy

Abstract

Patients with pan facial trauma require maxillomandibular wiring in the intraoperative period to check the alignment of the fractured segments. So oral intubation is not possible in these cases. Associated nasal bone and base of skull fracture in these patients make nasal intubation unsuitable. The submental route of endotracheal intubation provides a secure airway, an unobstructed intraoral surgical field and allows maxillomandibular fixation. It is the preferred mode of intraoperative airway management in cases where maxillomandibular fixation is required but the non-invasive methods of airway management are contraindicated