Minimally traumatic submental intubation: a novel dilational technique

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Techniques
• Airway Management

Background:

• Submental intubation is a valuable airway management strategy in head and neck surgery.
• Traditional methods can lead to significant bleeding and soft tissue trauma, increasing complication risks like sublingual hematoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel, minimally traumatic technique for submental intubation.
• To present a safe and effective alternative to traditional submental intubation methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a percutaneous tracheostomy horn (Cook Medical Blue Rhino®) for submental access.
• Employed a single-instrument, one-pass dilation technique for airway establishment.
• Successfully applied the technique in a patient with severe midfacial injuries.

Main Results:

• The novel technique proved easy and quick to perform.
• Minimally traumatic access to the floor of the mouth was achieved.
• Provided secure submental intubation with unrestricted surgical field access.

Conclusions:

• This adaptation of a tracheostomy dilator offers an excellent alternative to blunt dissection for submental intubation.
• The technique facilitates secure airway protection and simultaneous surgical access.
• It is a simple, effective method for managing complex head and neck surgical cases.