J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2016 Jun;42(3):166-168. 10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.3.166.

Submental intubation in maxillofacial fracture: a case report

• Akbari H
• Heidari-Gorji MA
• Poormousa
• Ayyasi M

• KMID: 2309260
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.3.166

Abstract

It can be challenging to create a safe airway in maxilla facial fracture and some skull surgeries. In this case study, the patient experienced jaw fractures that disturbed the dental occlusion and associated fracture of the base of the skull. Neither nasal nor oral intubation was possible based on the side effects of tracheotomy; therefore, submental intubation was applied successfully. The procedure and results are presented in the text.

Keyword

Fractures; Intubation; Maxillofacial; Submental

MeSH Terms

Dental Occlusion
Humans
Intubation*
Jaw Fractures
Maxilla
Skull
Tracheotomy

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Schematic of submental intubation. The tube is inserted in the midline submental region (skin is not shown). Note that the mylohyoid muscle is penetrated, but the anterior belly of the digastric is retracted. 1, submental-submandibular intubation in the anterior submandibular triangle; 2, posterior submandibular intubation; 3, mylohyoid muscle; 4, anterior belly of the digastric muscle.

• 

  Fig. 2 The patient after submental intubation.

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