Submental intubation: a retrospective review of 45 cases

Airway management in patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery requires special consideration. A number of options including oro- or naso-tracheal intubation and tracheostomy are available. Submental intubation is now a recognised method of airway control during maxillofacial surgery. It provides a secure airway and does not interfere with maxillomandibular fixation or access to naso-orbito-ethmoid fractures. It avoids potential complications associated with nasotracheal intubation and tracheostomy in patients with multiple facial fractures, and obviates the need to alternate between oral and nasal intubation intra-operatively.

This is a ten year retrospective review of patients who underwent submental intubation in a Regional Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department. The following variables were recorded: patient gender and age, preoperative diagnosis, duration of intubation, and complications associated with the intubation technique.

Submental intubation was performed 45 times on 45 patients. There were no complications relating to the submental intubation procedure.

Submental intubation should be considered as an option for airway management in selected cases of craniomaxillofacial surgery. It is a quick and safe technique with minimal morbidity and a low complication rate. It allows access to the maxillofacial skeleton intra-operatively and does not preclude the use of intermaxillary fixation.