Submandibular Intubation in Severe Maxillofacial Trauma using C-MAC Videolaryngoscope: A Case Report

Introduction: Anatomical distortion, intra-oral bleeding, and the requirement for unhindered surgical access make managing the airway in patients with severe maxillofacial trauma extremely difficult. When midface fractures or involvement of the skull base are present, orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation may not be safe nor practical. Although tracheostomy is a common substitute, there are risks associated with it, including bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema and chronic issues like loss of airway, recurrent laryngeal nerve damage etc. Case Presentation: We describe the successful submandibular intubation of a patient with panfacial fractures using the C-MAC videolaryngoscope for maxillofacial reconstruction surgery. This method avoided the problems associated with tracheostomy while allowing unhindered surgical access. Conclusion: By enhancing glottic visualization and minimizing airway trauma, the C-MAC videolaryngoscope has further improved the technique's ease and safety during the procedure.