Finding a way for airway: a retrospective study

Maxillofacial trauma is complex kind of injury that requires complex treatment, hence it is difficult in selecting the type of intubation technique depending on trauma. With the advent of various technologies and devices, surgeon and anesthetist should select right method of intubation that will benefit patient.

In a retrospective study, patients of either sex, admitted in Lata Mangeshkar Hospital under Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit for treating maxillofacial trauma operated during year 2018 to year 2019 as elective basis were studied.

Of 78 patients, the majority (37, 47.4%) were in the 21-30 age group, followed by the young adults 31-40 years age group (19, 24.3%). Mandible fracture was found to be the most common injury in 35 patients (44.3%) followed by fracture zygoma in 26(33.3%) patients and panfacial in eight patients (10.2%). There was frontal bone fracture in three patients (3.8%). Fiberoptic intubation under sedation was carried out in 34 (43.5%) and submental intubation in 20 (25.6%) and nasal intubation with direct visualization of vocal cords in 14 (17.9%) and blind nasal intubation was performed in eight (10.2%).

The results of this study suggest that the old concept of securing the airway in difficult situation by tracheostomy should be revised.