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. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.