• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2016

Objectives: Submental intubation has been advocated as an alternative to classical tracheostomy for certain indicated panfacial trauma surgeries. Surgeons should have various options for airway management in maxillofacial trauma patients. Most maxillofacial injuries involve occlusal derangements, which might require intraoperative occlusal corrections; hence, orotracheal intubation is not ideal. Maxillofacial surgeons generally prefer nasotracheal intubation; however, in cases with concomitant skull base fracture or nasal bone fracture, nasotracheal intubation might not be suitable; in these situations, tracheostomy is typically performed. However, the possible complications of tracheostomy are well known. Due to trauma situations and to avoid the complications of tracheostomy, submental intubation would be an ideal alternative procedure in selected maxillofacial trauma surgery patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and usefulness of a submental intubation technique for panfacial trauma surgery. Moreover, we intended to share our experience of submental intubation and to recommend this simple, safe procedure for certain panfacial trauma surgeries. Materials and Methods: In five panfacial trauma patients, we performed submental intubation for airway management; the mean time required for the procedure was only eight minutes. Results: We were able to execute this procedure safely in a short time without any intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusion: Submental intubation is a safe and simple technique for airway management in indicated panfacial trauma surgery patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.151-156
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• 2016

Objectives: To assess submental route intubation as an alternative technique to a tracheostomy in the management of the airway in cranio-maxillofacial 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 under 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, orocutaneous 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.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.127-129
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• 2011

Purpose: Nasotracheal or oral intubation procedure is widely used for facial bone fractures. However, during the operation intubated tube can interfere or obstruct the view of the operator. We authors used a modified submental intubation method in panfacial bone fracture patients for intact airway and the operation view. Methods: After intravenous induction of anaesthesia, traditional orotracheal tubation was done. A horizontal incision was made 2 cm from the midline, 2 cm medial to and parallel with the mandible in the submental region. 1 In order to approach to the floor of the oral cavity, a haemostat was pushed through the soft tissues. A chest tube front cover was applied to the intubation tube and the tube was inserted through the submental tunnel. Orotracheal tube was disconnected and pulled back through the soft tissue and secured with a suture. Results: The procedure took about 30 minutes and there were no problems during the intubation. Intraoral manipulation and occlusal checks were free without any interference. Extubation was also easily done without any complications such as lung aspiration, infection, hematoma, or fistula. Conclusion: Submental endotracheal intubation is fast, safe, easy to use and free from the concern about the tube being pull back again. Conventional submental intubations are being held without any coverage of the tip. We authors applied the modified method to the trauma patients and obtained satisfactory results. From the above advantages, modified submental intubation can be widely available not only in fractured patients, but also in aesthetic or orthognathic surgeries.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.233-236
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• 2014

In order to reduce jaw fracture accompanied by basal skull or nasal fracture, submental intubation could be generally performed. Albeit submental intubation has been widely accepted, it could develop complications such as nerve injury, glandular duct injury, and orocutaneous fistula. Here, we suggest oral intubation for overcoming complications and providing more stable surgical environment in emergency case. Under oral intubation maintaining in retromolar triangle and buccal corridor space, intermaxillary fixation was successfully underwent in 38-years-old female patient with Le Fort I fracture accompanied by pneumocephalus.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.166-168
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• 2016

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.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.604-607
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• 2008

The technique of submental intubation in patient with multiple facial fracture and skull base fracture was originally described by Altemir. Not only is intermaxillary fixation feasible when using this surgical technique but a good field of vision is acquirable, and postoperative complications due to tracheostomy can be prevented. After Altemir presented submental intubation, many modified techniques were reported, applicable not only to trauma patients but also to elective surgeries such as orthognathic surgery including Lefort II or III osteotomy. This technique is easy to use, rapid and free of complications compared to alternative intubation method especially tracheostomy for multiple facial trauma patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2018

Objectives: Airway management in patients with panfacial trauma is complicated. In addition to involving facial lesions, such trauma compromises the airway, and the use of intermaxillary fixation makes it difficult to secure ventilation by usual approaches (nasotracheal or endotracheal intubation). Submental airway derivation is an alternative to tracheostomy and nasotracheal intubation, allowing a permeable airway with minimal complications in complex patients. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective study based on a review of medical records of all patients with facial trauma from January 2003 to May 2015. In total, 31 patients with complex factures requiring submental airway derivation were included. No complications such as bleeding, infection, vascular, glandular, or nervous lesions were presented in any of the patients. Results: The use of submental airway derivation is a simple, safe, and easy method to ensure airway management. Moreover, it allows an easier reconstruction. Conclusion: Based on these results, we concluded that, if the relevant steps are followed, the use of submental intubation in the treatment of patients with complex facial trauma is a safe and effective option.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.139-141
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• 2024

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2020

Submental or submandibular intubation has been reported to cause fewer complications than tracheostomy. However, the risk of infection is always inherent because oral wounds are exposed to microbial flora and bacteria in the oral cavity. A novel technique of submandibular intubation was devised to reduce infection and injury to the soft tissues. We would like to report a novel safe technique that can be performed in patients requiring submental or submandibular intubation. This is the first report of submandibular intubation using a sterile disposable camera cable drape. This novel technique of submandibular intubation is safer, more sterile, easier, and less invasive than conventional submandibular intubation.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.307-312
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• 2019

Klippel-Feil syndrome is characterized by congenital fusion of two or more cervical vertebrae, a low hair line at the back of the head, restricted neck mobility, and other congenital anomalies. We report a 16-year-old young man with Klippel-Feil syndrome, Sprengel deformity of the right scapula, thoracic kyphoscoliosis, and mandibular prognathism with an anterior open bite. He was treated with orthodontic treatment and maxillofacial surgery. An anticipated difficult airway due to a short neck with restricted neck movements and extrinsic restrictive lung disease due to severe thoracic kyphoscoliosis increased his anesthesia risk. Due to his deviated nasal septum and contralateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy, we chose awake fiber optic orotracheal intubation followed by submental intubation. Considering the cervical vertebral fusion, he was carefully positioned during surgery to avoid potential spinal injury. He recovered well and his postoperative course was uneventful.