Unusual and rare complication during submental intubation – Pilot cuff fracture, localization by CT and retrieval- A case report

Abstract

A secure airway is always a challenging task in the management of facial trauma. Open reduction and Internal fixation in Lefort II and III warrants airway patency during general anesthesia. Unobstructed surgical field provided by submental intubation helps in open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and achieving intermaxillary fixation (IMF) during the procedure. However, submental intubation poses few complications such as bleeding, flexometallic tube damage, and obstruction of the tube. We report an unusual complication of pilot cuff fracture and retrieval during submental intubation with exact localization by computed tomography. Even though the technique is safer, it carries a number of rare risks depending on the exact techniques used and act as a reminder of unusual complications that might occur and be aware of the unusual risks of this surgery.