Submental tracheal intubation: A useful alternative during orthognathic surgery in an acromegalic patient with a history of cranial base surgery

Submental tracheal intubation is an alternative technique for use in patients with airway difficulties in whom oro- or naso-tracheal intubation is contraindicated. Here, a planned submental tracheal intubation was used during orthognathic surgery in an acromegalic patient who had previously undergone trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS) for removal of a pituitary adenoma, which involves removal of the sellar bone covering the anterior surface of the cavernous sinus. This helped prevent serious complications, such as intracranial penetration during nasotracheal intubation. Submental tracheal intubation can reduce the morbidity associated with repeated attempts at tracheal intubation in acromegalic patients who have undergone cranial base surgery and in whom orthognathic surgery is planned.