Use of Submental Intubation in the Full-Face Makeover (Orthognathic Surgery, Facial Prosthesis Combined with Rhinoplasty)

Background: Submental intubation is an intubation technique used for the management of airways in patients who suffered from complex maxillofacial trauma. Few studies focused on the role of submental intubation during Full-Face Makeover, like orthognathic surgery, facial prothesis, and rhinoplasty. Methods: Authors describe a case series of 5 patients who underwent to Full-Face Makeover with submental intubation to manage the airways. The authors started with the Le Fort I subspinal osteotomy. The maxillary repositioning was guided through a 3D printed intermediate splint in all cases (previously simulated with Dolphin software). Subsequentially, the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy was performed. The mandibular repositioning was guided through a 3D printed final splint. The genioplasty was performed with a horizontal osteotomy after a labial mucosa incision. After the genioplasty, the authors used the incision previously used for the Le Fort I osteotomy to bluntly dissect the tissues in order to insert a custom-made polyether ether ketone zygomatic prosthesis. Lastly, an open rhinoplasty was performed. Results: All the surgery lasted a mean less 6 hours. The submental intubation was removed in the operating room, at the end of the surgery. The patients were then discharged from the hospital 2 days after the surgery in all cases. Conclusions: Submental intubation is a valid method for the airway management in maxillofacial trauma and can be extended in case of Full-Face Makeover like orthognathic surgery combined with rhinoplasty. The absence of nasal traumatism during surgery leads to a more accurate rhinoplasty, with a greater satisfaction for the patient.