Gum elastic bougie-assisted intubation following hemorrhage in the floor of the mouth

Upper airway obstruction caused by postoperative hemorrhages or surgical manipulation is one of the life-threatening complications for which oral and maxillofacial surgeons may have to initiate emergency management of the airway. Therefore, oral and maxillofacial surgeons need to be skilled in emergency airway management. However, intubation under these circumstances may be very difficult or impossible using direct visual laryngoscopy techniques. This case report describes a case of successful intubation assisted by a gum elastic bougie for an asphyxiating patient suffering from a severely compromised upper airway.