Submental intubation in panfacial injuries: our experience

Panfacial fractures present a unique set of problems to the anaesthesiologist and surgeon. Airway management in panfacial fractures is still a challenge to the anaesthesiologist as all modalities available such as orotracheal intubation, nasotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, etc., have their own advantages and disadvantages. When all the conventional modalities to secure airway seem unsuitable then submental route offers an excellent alternative to manage airway in such patients. Here we describe our experience with submental intubation technique in 10 patients with panfacial injuries over a period of two years.