Transmylohyoid orotracheal intubation: case series and review.

Study Objective: To evaluate the outcome of airway management in patients with complex maxillofacial fracture by submental intubation, time required for intubation, accidental extubation, and postoperative complications.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Measurements: The medical records of the 10 patients who underwent submental intubation from December 2008 to June 2011 were reviewed.

Main Results: At the end of the procedure, all 10 patients were extubated without any complications. Postoperatively, only one patient presented with superficial infection of the submental wound.

Conclusions: Submental endotracheal intubation is a simple technique with very low morbidity, and may be used as an alternative to tracheostomy in selected cases of maxillofacial trauma.