Finding a way for airway: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Maxillofacial trauma is complex kind of injury that requires complex treatment, hence it is difficult in selecting the type of intubation technique depending on trauma. With the advent of various technologies and devices ,surgeon and anesthetist should select right method of intubation that will benefit patient. METHODS In a retrospective study, patients of either sex , admitted in Lata Mangeshkar Hospital under Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery unit for treating Maxillofacial trauma operated during year 2018 to year 2019 as elective basis were studied. In total 78 patients [Table 1], majority of patients were in the age group of 21-30 years 37(47.4),followed by age group of young adults 31-40 years-19(24.3)Fracture mandible [Table 2] was found to be the most common injury in 35 patients (44.3%) followed by fracture zygoma in 26(33.3%) patients and panfacial in 8 patients (10.2%) There was frontal bone fracture in 3 patients (3.8%). Fiberoptic intubation under sedation was carried out in 34(43.5%) and submental intubation in 20(25.6%) and nasal intubation with direct visualization of vocal cords in 14(17.9%) and blind nasal intubation was done in 8(10.2%). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that the old concept of securing the airway in difficult situation by tracheostomy should be revised.