Our experience of submental intubation: a reliable alternative to elective tracheostomy in maxillofacial trauma

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the frequency, indications, and outcome of submental intubation in maxillofacial trauma patients.
Methodology: This retrospective study was performed at our maxillofacial surgery department. Retrospective data were collected from electronic patient records and patients’ operation notes from 1st June 2013 to 30th April 2018. All patients who had submental intubation performed irrespective of age and gender were included. Indications, intraoperative / post-operative course, any complications and esthetic results were evaluated.
Results: During the period of study from 1st June 2013 to 30th April 2018, a total of 253 patients were operated under general anesthesia for various maxillofacial injuries at our hospital. Out of 253 operated patients, 185(73.1%) were males and 68(26.9%) were females with mean age of 32.7 years. A total of 7 submental intubations were performed. Out of these, 2 patients had panfacial trauma, 3 had comminuted Lefort II and III fractures and 2 had comminuted nasoorbitoethmoid (NOE)/ frontal complex fractures. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Postoperatively, one patient had persistent orocutaneous fistula with salivary leakage which was managed conservatively and healed within 4 weeks after surgery.
Conclusions: Submental intubation is a simple, safe and fast alternative to tracheostomy for operative airway management in maxillofacial trauma patients.

Received: 18 Oct 2018
Reviewed: 20 Oct 2018
Accepted: 30 Oct 2018

Citation: Luqman U, Qayyum MU, Tasneem S, Ullah K, Khan M, Khan J. Our experience of submental intubation: a reliable alternative to elective tracheostomy in maxillofacial trauma patients. Anaesth Pain & Intensive Care 2018;22 Suppl 1:S113-S117