Retrograde intubation through nasal route in patients with limited mouth opening undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery

Publication date: Available online 25 August 2017
Source:Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research
Author(s): Ashwant Kumar Vadepally, Ramen Sinha, A.V.S.S. Subramanya Kumar
BackgroundPatients with limited mouth opening (LMO) often associated with difficult intubation. Retrograde intubation is an alternative technique of establishing definitive airway in these patients when blind nasal intubation fails and fiberoptic bronchoscope is not available. We tested the retrograde intubation through nasal route in patients with LMO less than 2cm.Materials and methodsThe procedure was performed with some modification with regard to retrograde guide on 18 patients requiring maxillofacial surgical procedures to increase mouth opening. Indications for this technique were mandibular fracture (n=6), oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF; n=6), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis (n=4) and TMJ dislocation (n=2). All patients were assessed for preoperative interincisal opening; during intubation through specific parameters and; also postoperatively findings were observed.ResultsMean time taken for successful intubation was 5.6min±1.66. One patient had subcutaneous emphysema which was managed conservatively. Postoperatively, four patients had sore throat which resolved in few days. No other complications were encountered.ConclusionIn conclusion, retrograde nasotracheal intubation is an effective and useful technique for airway control in patients with LMO and with only a small risk potential.



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