Abstract

Objectives: To assess submental route intubation as an alternative technique to a tracheostomy in the management of the airway in cranio-maxillofa-cial trauma, along with an assessment of its morbidity and complications.Materials and Methods: Submental intubation was performed in 17 patients who had maxillofacial panfacial trauma and management was done un-der general anesthesia during a period of one year from 2013 to 2014 at Departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kochi, India.Results: In all 17 cases, the technique of submental intubation was found to be simple and reliable. Hypertrophic scars were noted in three cases, oro-cutaneous fistula and mucocele in one case each. All these complications were managed comfortably without significant morbidity to the patient.Conclusion: Submental intubation is a good technique that can be used regularly in the management of the airway in cranio-maxillofacial trauma, but with some manageable complications.