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Assessment of the Efficacy of Submental Intubation in the Management of Midfacial and Panfacial Trauma Patients

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Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Securing an airway in maxillofacial injuries remains a challenge and is an important objective on the part of a maxillofacial surgeon to thoroughly understand its management.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications of submental intubation in the management of midfacial/panfacial trauma patients where oro-endotracheal or naso-endotracheal intubation is contraindicated and tracheostomy can be avoided.

Patients and Methods

Twenty patients with maxillofacial injuries were selected for submental intubation who were admitted in Kamineni Hospital, Narketpally, Nalgonda during a 2 year period (2010–2012). The parameters used to assess the efficacy were; restoration of the occlusion, duration of the surgery, presence of scar, presence of infection, damage to vital structures or any post-operative salivary fistula.

Results

Submental intubation allowed reduction and fixation of all fractures without the interference of the tube during surgical procedure in all of the patients. There were no intra-operative complications and none of the patients required post-operative ventilation. There were no significant post-operative complications. However, in one of the cases (case 4) infection of submental wound was seen and in another case (case 11) salivary fistula was formed. Both the cases were appropriately managed without any difficulty. The submental scar was well accepted by all the patients.

Conclusion

Submental intubation is a safe and extremely useful procedure in severe maxillofacial injuries. It presents a low incidence of operative and post operative complications. It allows both the surgeon and the anaesthetist to deliver a better quality of patient care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, India

    K. A. Jeevan Kumar, B. Pavan Kumar, A. P. Mohan, Aruna Kishore Masram, David Tyro & Divya Gandla

Authors
  1. K. A. Jeevan Kumar
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  2. B. Pavan Kumar
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  3. A. P. Mohan
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  4. Aruna Kishore Masram
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  5. David Tyro
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  6. Divya Gandla
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Correspondence to K. A. Jeevan Kumar.

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Kumar, K.A.J., Kumar, B.P., Mohan, A.P. et al. Assessment of the Efficacy of Submental Intubation in the Management of Midfacial and Panfacial Trauma Patients. J. Maxillofac. Oral Surg. 14, 674–681 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-014-0684-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12663-014-0684-y

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