Anesthetic Management of Difficult Airway Due to Maxillofacial Trauma in a Pregnant Patient Requiring Submental Intubation: A Case Report

Abstract

: Managing a patient with maxillofacial trauma poses significant challenges, and when the patient is pregnant, these challenges are further heightened for an anesthesiologist. The optimal strategy to aid trauma patients is to provide immediate care, which includes managing the airway both in the pre-hospital setting and with advanced interventions within the critical first hour post-trauma, often referred to as the "golden hour." In this report, we detail the case of a twenty-week pregnant patient with maxillofacial trauma, which was successfully managed by a multidisciplinary team at our trauma center. This article outlines the initial assessment and management upon arrival, intraoperative anesthetic procedures, and postoperative critical care provided to the patient. It also examines the factors contributing to airway management challenges and discusses the most effective strategies involving airway devices, maneuvers, and techniques that proved beneficial in handling difficult traumatic airways.