[Patient treated with sub-mental intubation for maxillofacial trauma]

Area of Science:

• Maxillofacial Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Airway Management

Background:

• Maxillofacial traumas are common, particularly in young individuals.
• Conventional intubation methods (naso-tracheal, orotracheal) can be challenging with combined occlusal and nasal/ethmoidal fractures.
• Tracheotomy is often considered in such complex cases.

Observation:

• A clinical case involved a patient with a maxillofacial trauma combining nasal and maxillary fractures.
• The study assessed submental intubation as an alternative to tracheotomy in this scenario.
• Submental intubation was evaluated for its safety and efficacy.

Findings:

• Submental intubation proved to be a reliable, safe, and single-stage technique.
• It successfully managed the airway in a complex maxillofacial trauma case.
• This method allowed for one-stage surgical treatment without requiring tracheotomy.

Implications:

• Submental intubation is a viable alternative to tracheotomy for complex maxillofacial fractures.
• Wider implementation of this technique could improve patient outcomes.
• It offers a less invasive approach to airway management in severe facial trauma.