Modified submental intubation techniques for maxillofacial surgery - A report of five cases

• Published in: Anesthesia and pain medicine (Korean society of anesthesiologists) Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 331 - 337
• Main Authors: Jeon, Yeong-gwan, Lee, Chunui, Hong, Dongeui, Jin, Younghyun, Lim, Hyun Kyo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society of Anesthesiologists 01-07-2022; 대한마취통증의학회
• Subjects: Airway Management; maxillofacial surgery; nasal speculum; submental intubation; trocar; 마취과학
• ISSN: 1975-5171; 2383-7977
• DOI: 10.17085/apm.21124

Background Submental intubation has been the recommended airway management procedure for maxillofacial surgery since proposed by Altemir in 1986. We adopted various submental intubation modifications based on modified intubation protocols and report on the effectiveness and problems of each modified method.Case Among a total of 13 submental intubation cases during the last five years, five representative methods are described. The proximal end of the endotracheal tube was protected by a nelaton catheter in case 1, by a suction connector in case 2, and by a dental needle cap in case 3. In case 4, a nasal speculum was used to expand a single route, and in case 5, a laparoscopic trocar was used to secure a single route.Conclusions Use of a laparoscopic trocar might be the most effective way to obtain a single submental route. However, considering cost, use of a nasal speculum is also an effective suboptimal solution.