A retrospective analysis of submental intubation in maxillofacial trauma patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the frequency, indications, and outcomes of airway management by submental intubation in maxillofacial trauma patients.

Patients And Methods: Data were collected from patients during a 10-year period (1999-2009) from clinical notes and surgical records from each patient using a standardized data collection form that was specifically developed to investigate the epidemiological features of maxillofacial trauma. Data about anesthetic management were assessed.

Results: During the study period, 3,149 patients, victims of facial trauma, were evaluated: 2,090 patients presented facial fractures; 674 were submitted to surgery under general anesthesia. There were 449 nasal intubations, 204 oral intubations, 6 tracheotomies, and 15 submental intubations. Submental intubation permitted reduction and fixation of all the fractures without the interference of the tube during surgical procedure in all of the patients. There were no intra- or postoperative complications.

Conclusions: Submental intubation is a simple, safe, with low morbidity technique for operative airway management in maxillofacial trauma patients when there are fractures involving the nasal region and concomitant dental occlusion disturbances.